US bishops urge government to remember plight of refugees
June 22, 2012
Noting that the number of refugees fleeing their native lands has reached 12 million, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is urging the US government not to “pull back from its historic commitment to the protection of refugees.”
“Another refugee crisis is emerging—Syrians fleeing turmoil and violence,” said Archbishop José Gomez of Los Angeles, chairman of the USCCB Committee on Migration. “The countries of Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey are to be commended for receiving these refugees. I urge the United States and the world community to assist them.”
“My brother bishops and I remain troubled by the plight of Iraqis who have fled their country because of religious persecution, and urge our government to assist the Iraqi government in protecting them and other Iraqis who live in fear of persecution,” he continued. “In the last two years, we have witnessed a decrease in the number of refugees being served by our US refugee program. This is in part because of additional security processes, but also because of a lack of political will.”
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Further information:
- U.S. Catholic Bishops Urge Nation To Continue Leading Efforts To Help Refugees (USCCB)
- Statistics from UNHCR on World Refugees (CRS)
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