Christian persecution is worse today than at any time in history, according to a study released by Catholic organization Aid to the Church in Need.

“Not only are Christians more persecuted than any other faith group, but ever-increasing numbers are experiencing the very worst forms of persecution,” the report said.

In fact, the persecution is so severe that in many cases “genocide and other crimes against humanity now mean that the Church in core countries and regions faces the possibility of imminent wipe-out.”

The report reviewed 13 countries and found that in all but one, the situation for Christians was “worse in overall terms in the period of 2015-17 than within the preceding two years.”

The report went on to criticize Western governments for essentially ignoring the plight of persecuted Christians.

“Failure by governments to take the necessary steps to stop genocide and bring the perpetrators to justice… represented a significant setback for suffering Christians.”

“At a time in the West when there is increasing media focus on the rights of people regardless of gender, ethnicity or sexuality — to name but a few — it is ironic that in many sections of the media there should be such limited coverage of the massive persecution experienced by so many Christians,” the report went on to state.