US Christian leaders urge Obama administration to assist Mideast Christians

May 09, 2014

Over 175 Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant leaders, including Cardinal Donald Wuerl and Archbishop Charles Chaput, have signed a statement calling upon the Obama administration to do more to assist the persecuted Christians of Syria, Egypt, and Iraq.

“Scores of churches-- some while full of worshippers-- monasteries, cemeteries, and Bible centers have been deliberately demolished and crosses on others have been removed,” the signatories noted. “Young women have been abducted and forced to convert to Islam and marry their captors. In some instances, Christians have been told to convert to Islam or be killed; some have been forced to pay protection money.”

“It is our conviction that American foreign policy can be more effectively used to advocate for policies that protect international religious freedom for all,” the signatories added, as they called upon the Obama administration to appoint a Special Envoy on Middle East Religious Minorities, to review its foreign aid, and to offer refugee and reconstruction assistance.

 

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Further information:

• American Christian Leaders Pledge To Do More To Help Christians and Other Small Religious Minorities in Egypt, Iraq & Syria (Congressman Frank Wolf)
• Full text (Aid to the Church in Need)