Let Pope Francis Initiate Church Collection for Self-Defense Guns for Christian Victims of Islamist Persecution, Suggests St. Gabriel Possenti Society
Contact: John Snyder,
St. Gabriel Possenti Society, 202-239-8005,
gundean@gmail.com WASHINGTON, April 10, 2015 /
Christian Newswire/ -- "Let Pope Francis initiate a world-wide church collection for funds to provide guns for the self-defense of persecuted Christians," John M. Snyder, chairman of the St. Gabriel Possenti Society, Inc., suggested here today.
The Society honors St. Gabriel Possenti, who used handguns in 1860 to rescue villagers in Isola del Gran Sasso, Italy from marauding renegades.
Snyder said, "We appreciate the concern, distress and sadness Pope Francis feels for the mass persecution and murder of our fellow Christians.
"Islamist fundamentalists of various stripes seem bent on anti-Christian genocide around the world but especially in the Middle East and parts of Africa."
Snyder outlined the situation in this video:
youtu.be/bveY2CmpvbA He noted, "Our Holy Father is calling particular attention to this situation as we commemorate the most significant event in world history. That is the physical resurrection from the dead of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
"Pope Francis seems perplexed that nations in the world are not rushing to defend persecuted Christians against fanatic Muslim butchers. For years, though, Catholic bishops and others have been trying to get nations to disarm. Do Catholic Church officials now really expect nations to use arms to defend Christians?"
"That," said Snyder "is not the way of the world. It is up to Christians to defend themselves and their loved ones. Catholics need access to guns and ammunition for defense of their lives and the lives of their loved ones against international terrorists.
"Jesus Christ Himself tells us that, 'The man without a sword must sell his cloak and buy one,' according to Luke 22:36."
Snyder suggested that the Pope initiate a world wide special collection for the purchase of arms and ammunition for persecuted and potentially persecuted Christians. This could be similar to the annual Peter's pence collection. This is conducted in Catholic Churches throughout the world to support the Vatican and its many charitable activities.
"What could be more charitable than the collection and distribution of funds to purchase self-defense arms for tens of millions of persecuted men, women and children?"
The international, interdenominational Society (
www.gunsaint.com) seeks official recognition of St. Gabriel Possenti as Patron of Handgunners.
