The chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace, Bishop A. Elias Zaidan, has expressed support for the bishops and faithful in Africa as they face ongoing violence and humanitarian crises.

“We reiterate our solidarity with the bishops and faithful of Africa, as they offer the world a profound witness of respect for human life and dignity amidst ongoing conflicts,” said Bishop Zaidan.

He highlighted that millions in Africa are currently displaced due to conflict, religious and ethnic persecution, economic hardship, and environmental crises. According to Bishop Zaidan, cycles of violence continue to result in humanitarian emergencies in countries such as Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, and throughout the Sahel region.

Bishop Zaidan also noted that rising extremist violence has led to increased targeting of Christians, Muslims, and other faith groups through mass killings, abductions, and forced displacement. He specifically referenced recent massacres affecting Christian civilians in Nigeria’s Middle Belt and northern regions as well as eastern Congo.

“We remember, in particular, the hundreds of Christian civilians massacred in recent weeks and months in Nigeria’s Middle Belt and northern regions as well as in eastern Congo,” said Bishop Zaidan.

The statement comes amid continued reports from international organizations about large-scale displacement and attacks on civilian populations across multiple African countries.