US bishops condemn killing of Christians, Muslims in Nigeria

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops on Tuesday condemned the kidnapping and brutal killing of thousands of Christians and Muslims in Nigeria.

In a statement on the 27th anniversary of the International Religious Freedom Act, the bishops also criticized the Nigerian government for imprisoning “members of both religious groups for blasphemy.”

Bishop Elias Zaidan, chairman of USCCB’s Committee on International Justice and Peace, and Bishop Kevin Rhoades, chairman of USCCB’s Committee for Religious Liberty, called for solidarity with people suffering worldwide.

Condemning instances where some governments tolerate severe violations of religious freedom, the clerics urged individuals, communities, and organizations to do their part in promoting religious liberty for all.

The American bishops added that the acts of repressing or persecuting religions are “ultimately detrimental to the peaceful development of all nations.”

Also commemorating the enactment of the IRF Act, the United States government restated its commitment to championing the unalienable right of religious freedom.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio decried how hundreds of millions of people of faith worldwide face threats of violence, imprisonment, and death for simply living out their faith.

Rubio noted that religious persecution destabilizes countries, undermines hope for peace, and attacks the core truth that faith is essential to human flourishing and a free society.

The top diplomat said America’s foreign policy unapologetically promotes religious freedom as a universal human right and a fundamental freedom, “a right given to us by our Creator.”

“We will continue to lead with strength to protect religious liberty,” he assured. “There is no greater friend to religious freedom than the United States.”

According to a biannual report from Aid to the Church in Need, nearly two-thirds of the world’s population lives in countries with serious religious freedom violations.