Afghanistan

The month of October is coming to an end, during which we expressed our Marian devotion with particular fervour by reciting the rosary, to beg the Lord for peace. At this time, we entrust to the maternal protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary the peoples of Afghanistan: May innocent lives be spared, and may the international community give timely and effective help to so many refugees, exposed to privations of every sort as the winter season approaches.
- Pope John Paul II, Angelus, Sunday 28 October 2001

Happening Now

Letter to Secretary of State Blinken Regarding Evacuations from Afghanistan
Bishop David J. Malloy, September 13, 2021

Pope: Pray, fast for Afghanistan
During his weekly Angelus address, August 29, 2021, Pope Francis urged prayer and fasting for the situation in Afghanistan.

U.S. Bishop Chairmen Respond to Evolving Crisis in Afghanistan
Bishop David J. Malloy and Bishop Mario E. Dorsonville, August 17, 2021

 

Policy and Advocacy for Justice and Peace in Southern Asia

Background Information

Backgrounder on Afghanistan and Pakistan
February 2012

Backgrounder on Afghanistan and Pakistan
February 2011

Backgrounder on Afghanistan and Pakistan
February 2010

Backgrounder on Tsunami Relief
June 2005

Backgrounder on Tsunami Relief
February 2005

Region-wide

Letter to Senate regarding Bill to Establish Special Envoy to Promote Religious Freedom
Bishop Richard E. Pates, March 4, 2014

Joint Letter to Congress on Establishing a Special Envoy to Promote Religious Freedom of Religious Minorities in the Near East and South Central Asia
March 4, 2014

Letter to U.S. Senate Regarding Establishing a Special Envoy to Promote Religious Freedom of Religious Minorities in the Near East and South Central Asia
Bishop Richard E. Pates, May 20, 2013

Letter to U.S. House of Representatives Regarding Establishing Special Envoy to Promote Religious Freedom of Religious Minorities in the Near East and South Asia
Bishop Richard E. Pates, February 15, 2013

Statement of Solidarity with South Asian Tsunami Victims
Bishop William S. Skylstad, December 29, 2004

 

Afghanistan

Letter to Secretary of State Blinken Regarding Evacuations from Afghanistan
Bishop David J. Malloy, September 13, 2021

U.S. Bishop Chairmen Respond to Evolving Crisis in Afghanistan
Bishop David J. Malloy and Bishop Mario E. Dorsonville, August 17, 2021

Letter to Administration Regarding U.S. Policy Towards Afghanistan
Bishop Oscar Cantú, October 26, 2017

Letter to National Security Advisor on Afghanistan and Pakistan
Bishop Howard J. Hubbard, April 6, 2011

Letter to National Security Advisor Jones on Responsible Transition in Afghanistan
Bishop Howard J. Hubbard, December 18, 2009

Letter to National Security Advisor General Jones on Afghanistan Policy
Bishop Howard J. Hubbard, October 6, 2009

Letter to Ambassador Jawad on Death Sentence for Conversion
Bishop Thomas Wenski, March 28, 2006

India and Bangladesh

Letter to National Security Council Urging Humanitarian Assistance for Rohingya Refugees in Bangladesh
Bishop Oscar Cantú, September 21, 2017

Letter to Assistant Secretary of State Blake on Violence Against Christians in Bangladesh
Bishop Howard J. Hubbard, May 12, 2010

Coalition Letter to President Bush on Violence against Christians in India
November 7, 2008

Letter to Assistant Secretary of State Boucher on Violence Against Christians in India
Bishop Thomas G. Wenski, September 29, 2008

Letter to Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil Expressing Solidarity with the Church in India After Attacks on Christians
Bishop Thomas G. Wenski, September 19, 2008

Letter to Cardinal Toppo on Bombings in Mumbai
Bishop William S. Skylstad, July 14, 2006

Letter to Indian Ambassador on Anti-Christian Attacks
February 22, 1999

Pakistan

Letter to USAID Administrator Phillips Regarding U.S. Assistance to Pakistan in Wake of Catastrophic Flooding 
Bishop David J. Malloy, September 15, 2022

Letter to Congress Concerning Merit and Needs Based Scholarship Program Providing Educational Opportunities for Girls and Women in Pakistan
Bishop David J. Malloy, July 14, 2020

Letter to Assistant Secretary Blake on Rimsha Masih
Bishop Richard E. Pates, September 7, 2012

Letter to National Security Advisor on Afghanistan and Pakistan
Bishop Howard J. Hubbard, April 6, 2011

Letter to Secretary Clinton on Assassination of Pakistani Minister for Minority Affairs
Bishop Howard J. Hubbard, March 4, 2011

Letter to Assistant Secretary of State Posner on Protecting Human Rights and Religious Freedom in Pakistan and Blasphemy Case of Asia Bibi
Bishop Howard J. Hubbard, December 30, 2010

Letter to Pakistani Ambassador on Protecting Human Rights and Religious Freedom
Bishop Howard J. Hubbard, December 30, 2010

Letter to Secretary Rice on Deteriorating Situation in Pakistan and the State of Emergency
Bishop Thomas Wenski, December 3, 2007

Letter to Ambassador Jehandir Karamat on Terrorist Attacks Against Christian Churches
Bishop Thomas Wenski, February 24, 2006

Letter to Pakistani Ambassador on Attacks on Christian Churches and Institutions
Bishop Thomas Wenski, November 17, 2005

Letter to Ambassador Lodhi on Intolerance in Bahawalpur
Bernard Cardinal Law, November 2, 2001

Letter to Archbishop Saldanha on Violence in Bahawalpur
Bernard Cardinal Law, November 2, 2001

Letter to President Bush on Violence in Bahawalpur
Bernard Cardinal Law, November 2, 2001

Letter to Secretary Albright on Religious Freedom and Pakistan's Blasphemy Law
December 2, 1998

Statement on the Death of Bishop Joseph of Faisalbad, Pakistan
May 8, 1998

Letter to Ambassador Lodhi on Blasphemy Law
Bishop Daniel P. Reilly, February 22, 1995

Sri Lanka

Statement on Terrorist Attacks at Multiple Churches and Hotels in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday
Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, April 21, 2019

Letter to President Obama on Helping the Displaced in Sri Lanka
Cardinal Francis George, May 22, 2009

Letter to Archbishop Ranjith on Cease-Fire Anniversary
Bishop Wilton Gregory, December 16, 2002

A Call for Peace
Bishops of Sri Lanka, August 30, 2000

Expand All