Washington D.C. — More than 100 religious leaders, scholars, and human rights advocates signed a letter Monday asking President Obama to formally declare the killing and displacement of Middle Eastern religious minorities a "genocide."
"We humbly request that your office publicly acknowledge and denounce the Islamic State's actions as genocide and act with all due haste to ensure that this ongoing, abominable crime is halted, prevented and punished and that the religious freedom and human dignity of all people currently suffering under the Islamic State are allowed to flourish," the Oct. 5 letter stated.
VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) — Family rescues us from indifference and loneliness and teaches us the essentials of life, Pope Francis said – adding that as the family of God, the Church has the same role and must evaluate how to live this out.
"Like Saint Peter, the Church is called to be a fisher of men, and so too needs a new type of net. Families are this net," the Pope told pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square for his Oct. 7 general audience.
