Catholics should pray for the people of Afghanistan in the confidence that Jesus Christ will never abandon them, a bishop has said.

Bishop Declan Lang, chairman of the Department of International Affairs of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, issued a statement as the Taliban regained control of Kabul, the capital, immediately following the withdrawal of US troops.

“As Christians, we are called to be people of hope, even when a situation may appear hopeless,” said Bishop Lang.

“Today our hope can be placed in those who are working tirelessly for dialogue, justice, and peace in their country,” he said.

“Our hope can be placed in the humanitarian organisations that are continuing to offer their assistance, and the efforts to welcome and protect refugees fleeing their homes,” he continued.

“Above all we place our hope in the Lord Jesus Christ, to whom we pray in the knowledge that he will never abandon the people of Afghanistan.”

Pope Francis used his Angelus on Wednesday to plead for peace within a country afflicted by decades of war.

“I ask all of you to pray with me to the God of peace so that the clamour of weapons might cease and solutions can be found at the table of dialogue,” said the Holy Father.

“Only thus can the battered population of that country – men, women, elderly and children – return to their own homes, and live in peace and security, in total mutual respect.”

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