USCCB shows solidarity with Congolese

American Catholic bishops have sent a letter of support to Congolese Bishop Nicolas Djomo Lola announcing their support of a policy that helps prevent armed groups from financing violence and human rights abuses by selling "Conflict Minerals." The policy currently is being challenged in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. From the letter:

Dear Bishop Djomo: 

At this time of continuing suffering and crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), I write to reiterate the solidarity of the U.S. bishops with the Church and people of your country Your tireless efforts, along with those of your brother bishops and the entire Church community have long exemplified courageous leadership in the face of violent conflict. We send our ongoing prayers as innocent people in your country suffer and die at the hands of militias who control illegal mines, divide up your country and eliminate the rule of law. 

Let me assure you that the U.S. bishops have welcomed a rule promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), implementing Section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act ("Dodd-Frank Act"). This rule ensures that investors have access to information essential to making socially responsible decisions and would help prevent armed groups from financing violence and human rights abuses by selling "Conflict Minerals The U.S. bishops, through USCCB, submitted official comments to the SEC supporting the rule The rule is consistent with Catholic teaching on protection of human life and dignity. It takes into account the lived experience of the Church in your country and that of our colleagues at Catholic Relief Services and other development and relief agencies in the region. It also meets our concern of providing appropriate coverage of issuers and products, and insuring information submitted to the SEC is accurate, verifiable and easily available to investors and consumers.

You can read more here.