WALTHAM -- Veteran Catholic journalist John L. Allen Jr. plans to share the reality of Christians around the globe who face persecution and violence at an evening talk at St. Mary Parish in Waltham, Oct. 31.

Allen, currently a journalist at National Catholic Reporter and Vatican analyst for CNN and National Public Radio, will speak about his latest book "The Global War on Christians: Dispatches from the Front Lines of Anti-Christian Persecution."

"This book is about the most dramatic religion story of the early 21st century, yet one that most people in the West have little idea is even happening: The global war on Christians," writes Allen. "We're not talking about a metaphorical 'war on religion' in Europe and the United States, fought on symbolic terrain such as whether it's okay to erect a nativity set on the courthouse steps, but a rising tide of legal oppression, social harassment and direct physical violence, with Christians as its leading victims."

The talk is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. in the church and will be followed by a question and answer session. Admission to the event is free. Copies of the book will be available for purchase and signing by the author.