American bishops back House resolution to protect Iraq’s Christians

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: U.S. Catholic bishops urged congressmen on Monday to quickly pass a resolution that condemns the recent attack on a downtown Baghdad church and calls for a comprehensive plan to improve security for religious minorities in Iraq. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Committee on International Justice and Peace sent the letter to sponsors of House Resolution 1725, which was introduced by Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.) and co-sponsored by six congressmen. “Our conference welcomes this bipartisan resolution as a way to focus attention on the situation of the vulnerable religious communities in Iraq,” the bishops wrote. “In particular, we support the emphasis on developing a comprehensive plan to improve security for religious minorities and to increase their representation in the government of Iraq and to include them in all aspects of Iraqi society.” The resolution is a response to the Oct. 31 attack on worshippers at Our Lady of Salvation Church in Baghdad that killed 58 people, including three priests, and wounded 75. SH (S) 1