Washington D.C., Nov 30, 2016 / 06:02 am
Given new and expanded humanitarian crises in Iraq and elsewhere, Congress should respond generously to a request to approve additional aid funding, the U.S. bishops and Catholic Relief Services leaders have said in a letter.
"As we have already learned in Iraq, individuals, communities, and countries divided by war face significant challenges amidst their suffering. They must rebuild their communities, and establish inclusive governance that protects majorities and minorities," the letter said.
"We must provide them with humanitarian help and durable solutions to their plight because it's the right thing to do, and because their security and prosperity is critical to the stability of the entire region."
The Nov. 28 letter to Senate and House leaders of the Subcommittees on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs was signed by Bishop Oscar Cantu of Las Cruces, chair of the U.S. bishops' Committee on International Justice and Peace; Bishop Joe Vasquez of Austin, chair of the U.S. bishops' Committee on Migration; and Dr. Carolyn Woo, president of Catholic Relief Services.