U.S. Bishops’ Conference Chairman Urges Senate Passage of “Iraq and Syria Genocide Emergency Relief and Accountability Act”

WASHINGTON—Bishop Oscar Cantú of Las Cruces, Chairman of the USCCB Committee on International Justice and Peace, has urged the Senate to pass the "Iraq and Syria Genocide Emergency Relief and Accountability Act" (H.R. 390). The proposed legislation calls for much needed assistance for survivors of

WASHINGTON—Bishop Oscar Cantú of Las Cruces, Chairman of the USCCB Committee on International Justice and Peace, has urged the Senate to pass the "Iraq and Syria Genocide Emergency Relief and Accountability Act" (H.R. 390). The proposed legislation calls for much needed assistance for survivors of genocide, especially in Iraq and Syria, and would allow faith-based organizations (such as Catholic Relief Services) that are already providing humanitarian assistance to these populations, to access U.S. government funding in their work, increasing aid to those desperately in need.

In a letter to U.S. Senator Bob Corker, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Senator Benjamin Cardin, Ranking Member, Bishop Cantú wrote, "I commend you for your efforts to support those suffering persecution in Iraq and Syria and trust that swift Senate consideration and passage of H.R. 390 will contribute to a longer-term solution to the crisis in the region."

A link to Bishop Cantú's full letter  can be found here: https://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/religious-liberty/letter-to-senate-on-iraq-syria-genocide-emergency-relief-act-2017-06-09.cfm

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Keywords: U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, USCCB, Pope Francis, Bishop Oscar Cantú, Committee on International Justice and Peace, Iraq and Syria Genocide Emergency Relief and Accountability Act (H.R. 390), Genocide Resolution (H.Con.Res. 75), Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Syria, Iraq, Christians, ethnic minorities, religious minorities, Middle East, genocide, persecution, Catholic Relief Services, humanitarian assistance, U.S. Senate, U.S. Congress, Catholic Church.

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