Bishop David J. Malloy of Rockford, and chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on International Justice and Peace, has issued the following statement calling for cessation of hostilities and greater humanitarian access.

Bishop Malloy’s full statement follows:

“In the context of the global scope and scale of the COVID-19 virus crisis, Pope Francis during his Angelus message on Sunday, March 29 called for a global cease fire in all hostilities. His plea seeks to allow for a deepening of the fraternal bonds of the human family in search for not just a momentary but a lasting peace.

“Over a billion people on our planet live without access to the basic necessities of life. Over 70 million are displaced who already live amidst violent conflict and persecution. The unfolding global health pandemic and subsequent economic crisis only exacerbate their intolerable suffering. As chairman of the Committee on International Justice and Peace, I join my prayers to those of the Holy Father. May God’s grace open the hearts of combatants throughout the world so that they realize their shared frail humanity and allow a cessation of hostilities to come to pass. With such cessation, corridors of humanitarian assistance can be established and strengthened to allow relief to reach those in greatest need.

“May God use even the difficulties of this moment to bring about peace and solidarity in the world.”

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