Church of St. Mary at Clinton Heights

STATEMENT ON RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION

ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE

UNITED STATES CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS

March 10, 2015

Upon learning of the death of 21 Coptic Christians at the hands of ISIL terrorists, Pope Francis called their murder a “testimony which cries out to be heard.” On behalf of America’s Catholic Bishops, we pause to listen and invite people of all faiths to join us in prayer for those facing the stark reality of religious persecution in the Middle East and elsewhere. The testimony of those 21 brave and courageous martyrs does not stand alone as thousands of families Christian and other religions find themselves fleeing from horrific violence.

We urge all people of goodwill to work toward protections of the marginalized and persecuted.In union with the local Churches and the Holy See, we call upon our nation to: work with the international community to intervene and protect the rights of religious minorities and civilians within the framework of international and humanitarian law; address political and economic exclusion that are exploited by extremists; and increase humanitarian and development assistance.

Lent is a season to meditate upon the Cross and unite ourselves even more closely with Christ’s suffering. Let us use this season to unite with our suffering brothers and sisters and pray for them and with them in a special way. With hope, let us pray for the day when we can all share in the joy and lasting peace of Christ’s resurrection.

Click HERE for Bishop Scharfenberger’s letter and button for SURVEY

If you are able, please complete this survey by March 26, 2015.  Also, please invite many others to also participate in this survey in order for the broadest consultation possible.  Thank you for your assistance.

We profess that Jesus is the righteousness of God; in other words, he is the restoration of relationship between God and humanity.  All of us know how powerful that is when we consider relationships in our lives that have been strained or even broken.  There is an inner ache that won’t subside.  And because Jesus is Righteousness, he therefore reveals to us the plan of God that we be truly reconciled with one another, that such strains and breaks be repaired and restored.  So, the task for us?  Reconcile with someone.

Rebbe Nachman of Breslov was an influential 18th-century spiritual teacher who said: “If you believe that you can damage, then believe that you can fix.  If you believe that you can harm, then believe that you can heal.”  Reach out, then, and make up with someone where there has been fracture.

Think of someone you know who is struggling financiallya student, a single parent, a retiree, someone unemployed. Perhaps buy and mail them a prepaid bank card. Do this anonymously in keeping with Jesus’ teaching: “When you give…, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret” (Mt 6:3-4).