[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 3]
[House]
[Page 3580]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         CHRISTIAN PERSECUTION

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Indiana (Mrs. Brooks) for 5 minutes.
  Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss the 
sobering but extremely consequential topic of Christian persecution.
  Last week, I had the honor of visiting with more than 100 
parishioners of St. Alphonsus Liguori Catholic Church in Zionsville, 
Indiana, including many interested high school students who shared with 
me their passionate concerns about the senseless persecution of their 
Christian brethren.
  Through the church's Social Action Committee, they wanted to know how 
a small, faithful community could make a difference in bringing 
attention to this commonly overlooked matter. However, they wondered if 
their cries for mercy were falling on deaf ears in Washington. They 
felt helpless in bringing to light the barbarity, torture, and living 
conditions that Christians in places like Iran endure.
  The parishioners at St. Alphonsus felt that too often horrendous 
massacres are met with isolationism and arguments that it is not 
America's job to promote human rights beyond our shores.
  Today I want to let the people of St. Alphonsus and all those who 
seek to give a voice to the silenced victims of religious persecution 
know I hear you, and others in Washington, D.C., do as well.
  I believe that America must reassume its leadership role in 
protecting those most destitute and downtrodden, that American 
leadership in the world should advance not only our national interests 
but also the interests of those who yearn for freedom across the globe, 
that Christians who have to shield their faith for fear of crucifixion 
or beheading have an ally in America, an ally who will fight for the 
dignity of all mankind.
  Incidents of persecution of Christians more than doubled in 2014 
alone. I wish I could say I was surprised by this increase, but I am 
not. I think this is part of the larger trend around the globe.
  The world we live in is remarkably unstable right now. People lack 
security. Too many regions of our world are fending off the rise of 
groups that espouse extremely radical ideologies, groups that hate this 
Nation, groups that often hate all other religions, groups that feed 
off of destruction and poverty, groups that value violence over peace, 
groups that are clearly not a true or worthy representation of the 
religions they claim as their own.
  The parishioners at St. Alphonsus Church asked me: What can we do?
  I told them America first needs a smart and decisive plan because the 
threat Christians face is significant, and it is not going away.
  The United States must work with free nations across the globe to 
reaffirm a simple but important message: human rights are not 
negotiable. Countries don't get to pick and choose which rights they 
allow and which ones they deny. We also need to work more locally to 
raise awareness of the specific issue of Christian persecution. There 
must be a strong grassroots element to this effort.
  Each month, approximately 180 Christians are killed across the globe 
because of their faith. That is a startling number. In America, a 
country where it is so easy to take our freedoms for granted, it is 
easy not to notice the pain and suffering of others, but we must. And I 
know we are a truly generous and kind people.
  When Japanese communities were torn apart by a massive tsunami in 
2009, Americans mobilized to donate more than $700 million in 
charitable relief.
  Americans always answer the call when people are suffering. Well, 
today there is clearly a tsunami of hatred sweeping parts of the world, 
and there are people who need our help. So churches and other groups 
with a concern for their fellow Christians and all global citizens need 
to take a stand.
  Like those at St. Alphonsus have, Christians and people of all faiths 
across this Nation need to reach out to their elected officials and let 
them know of the tragic persecution of Christians and that it deserves 
attention, that religious freedom is a value we must defend and 
promote. Only then will everyone in this body know what was foretold in 
Matthew, that blessed are those who are persecuted because of 
righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. Let us now work to 
bring that kingdom of Heaven closer to Earth.

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