WASHINGTON—People of all faiths are called to pray for
victims of religious persecution and violence and work to protect the
marginalized and persecuted around the world, according to a statement of the
Administrative Committee of the U.S. bishops, approved March 10. The bishops
said Lent is a time for prayerfully reflecting on 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,” they said. “With
hope, let us pray for the day when we can all share in the joy and lasting
peace of Christ’s resurrection.”

The Administrative Committee is chaired by Archbishop Joseph
E. Kurtz of Louisville, Kentucky, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic
Bishops (USCCB). The committee consists of the elected chairs of the 16
standing committees, the elected representatives of 15 geographic regions, the
chairman of Catholic Relief Services and the elected officers of USCCB.

Full text of the statement follows:

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 i…

Source:: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops