American Catholic Church announces commitment to support Syrian refugees

Asks other countries to step forward as well

The American Catholic Church is ready to help refugees from Syria looking for sanctuary as they leave their homes in their war-torn country. The US Conference of Catholic Bishops has confirmed their commitment to help.

MUNTINLUPA CITY, PHILIPPINES (Catholic Online) -  Archbishop Joseph Kurtz, president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, announced the church "stands ready to help" Syrian refugees fleeing from their homes. He added, "all Catholics in the US and all the people of good will should express openness and welcome to refugees fleeing Syria and elsewhere in order to survive."

Ten of thousands of Syrians and other refugees are seeking refuge in Europe as they desperately try to escape the chaos and Middle East conflicts. Kurtz said the events have already "captured the world's attention and sympathy."
The archbishop noted Catholic Relief Services and several other US bishops' overseas relief and development agency provided humanitarian aid to several refugees in the Middle East, Europe and the US. He said, "nearly 100 Catholic Charities agencies and several hundred parishes" have helped assist refugees coming into the country every year. 
The statement follows Pope Francis' encouraging words to Catholics all over Europe to respond to the needs of refugees entering their countries. Archbishop Kurtz's statement expressed solidarity with the Pope, the bishops of Syria, the Middle East and Europe "and all people who have responded to this humanitarian crisis with charity and compassion."

He also called out to the US government "to assist more robustly the nations of Europe and the Middle East in protecting and supporting these refugees and in helping to end this horrific conflict, so refugees may return home safely."
The United States government, under the Obama administration, announced that they are already planning to accept 10,000 Syrian refugees in the coming fiscal year. Some reports also claim the plans to help these refugees are "already in the pipeline" and many await admittance to the US.
The archbishop is also asking Catholics to pray for refugees, saying, "They are the archetype of every refugee family. Let us pray that the Holy Family watches over the thousands of refugee families in Europe and beyond at this time."

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