Sunday, Nov 24 2024 Donate
A service of EWTN News

U.S. bishop visits troubled Sudanese region

The chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops International Policy Committee arrived in Sudan Sunday to assess the humanitarian situation in the Darfur region.

Bishop John H. Ricard, SSJ, of Pensacola-Tallahassee is scheduled to meet with the governor of South Darfur, where the Christian minority is being persecuted, and visit refugee camps there. He will also meet with representatives of non-governmental organizations, providing assistance in the region.

In Khartoum, Bishop Ricard will meet with Catholic Church leaders, United Nations personnel, and several officials of the Government in Khartoum, including the foreign minister, the minister of internal affairs, and the first vice president.

Government-backed Arab militias, known as the “Janjaweed,” have killed an estimated 30,000 people in the Darfur region of Sudan in the last 17 months. Another million have been forced to flee in the face of rapes and torture. The Janjaweed have also prevented aid from getting through.

Fr. Michael Perry, the USCCB’s policy advisor on African affairs, accompanies Bishop Ricard. They are scheduled to return to the U.S. Aug. 6.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

At Catholic News Agency, our team is committed to reporting the truth with courage, integrity, and fidelity to our faith. We provide news about the Church and the world, as seen through the teachings of the Catholic Church. When you subscribe to the CNA UPDATE, we'll send you a daily email with links to the news you need and, occasionally, breaking news.

As part of this free service you may receive occasional offers from us at EWTN News and EWTN. We won't rent or sell your information, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Click here

Our mission is the truth. Join us!

Your monthly donation will help our team continue reporting the truth, with fairness, integrity, and fidelity to Jesus Christ and his Church.

Donate to CNA