On March 14, Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Kentucky, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, issued an urgent call to support a petition to stop genocide in the Middle East and convince the U.S. Department of State to include Christians in any formal declaration of genocide.
San Angelo Bishop Michael J. Sis has expressed full support for the effort and encourages Catholics and all Christians in West Texas to also register their support by signing the petition.
The call to action was issued days before the U.S. Department of State is expected to make a decision on the issue, and as a congressional resolution gains support in Congress.
"For months, the Catholic Church has been a voice for Christians and other religious minorities facing the evil of deadly persecution," Archbishop Kurtz said. "Please, make sure your name is added to the witness. The very future of the ancient Christian presence in the Middle East is at stake."