Archbishops urges 'tangible' support for persecuted Christians

The Archbishop of Canterbury has urged Christians living in secure environments to pray for and provide "tangible" support to fellow members of the faith who are persecuted around the world.

Rowan Williams said practical support through personal contact and lobbying the Government and media was important in helping suffering Christians know that they are "not alone" and "not forgotten".

In an ecumenical Easter letter to fellow church leaders, Dr Williams spoke of how being associated with Jesus Christ has never been "easy or safe".

The archbishop spoke of communal violence in Nigeria, "butchery and intimidation" of Christians in Mosul, northern Iraq, and attacks on the Coptic faithful in Egypt. He also said there was "continuing harassment" of Anglican congregations in Zimbabwe and cited the 30th anniversary of the murder of the Roman Catholic Archbishop Oscar Romero in El Salvador.

Dr Williams said Christians who live in "more comfortable" environments should also remember to keep their own fears in perspective.

"It is all too easy, even in comfortable and relatively peaceful societies, for us to become consumed with anxiety about the future of church and society," he said.

"We need to witness boldly and clearly but not with anger and fear - we need to show that we believe what we say about the Lordship of the Risen Christ and his faithfulness to the world he came to redeem."