US bishops lament indifference to plight of persecuted Christians
January 07, 2011
In three recent letters and statements, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has condemned recent attacks on Christians around the world.
Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York, USCCB president, expressed condolences to the head of the Coptic Orthodox Church following the New Year’s bomb explosion at a church in Alexandria. “I was horrified to learn that over 20 people died and more than 100 were injured,” said Archbishop Dolan. “So many innocent lives lost to such senseless violence calls for the strongest condemnation by all religious leaders and by persons of conscience everywhere.”
Archbishop Dolan also called for prayers for persecuted Christians around the world. “We ask everyone to pray for the religious freedom of Christians and other people of faith in countries where they are under attack,” he said, citing “the recent violence in the Middle East and the ongoing threats to religious freedom in countries like Pakistan, Nigeria, China, and North Korea.”
In a letter to Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, Bishop Howard Hubbard of Albany, chairman of the USCCB committee on international justice and peace, said that “egregious violations of human rights as well as indifference and inaction by foreign governments to the protection of their own citizens must be weighed seriously” by the Obama administration.
For all current news, visit our News home page.
Further information:
All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a current donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!
-
Posted by: dover beachcomber -
Jan. 13, 2011 1:01 AM ET USA
It's not so much a matter of a lack of "freedom of religion" in these countries. It's more an abundance of hatred of Christ and His Church. And we know where that comes from. Hint: it's very hot there.
-
Posted by: -
Jan. 08, 2011 4:43 AM ET USA
Does anyone REALLY think Sec Clinton will care much about what the US Catholic bishops say about anything? I can't imagine she will....
-
Posted by: Minnesota Mary -
Jan. 07, 2011 10:33 PM ET USA
FOX News certainly has ignored this news, especially what has been happening in Iraq.
-
Posted by: Obregon -
Jan. 07, 2011 4:26 PM ET USA
I'm glad our bishops are speaking out on this one but frankly, this is the first time I read about it and the secular media has ignored the story as much as they possibly can.
