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Representative Riley Moore / Ike Hayman, House Creative Services (Left), Nicola Fioravanti / Unsplash (Right)
Republican Rep. Riley Moore of West Virginia introduced a House resolution Nov. 7 urging the U.S. to use diplomatic and economic pressure to defend persecuted Christians in Nigeria — echoing President Donald Trump’s campaign to confront religious violence there.
Moore, a first-term congressman and Catholic, told the New York Post that the measure directs the U.S. to “use all available diplomatic, economic, and security tools to pressure the Nigerian Government” to end ongoing persecution. It specifically calls on Washington to ensure Nigeria repeals blasphemy laws, releases prisoners jailed for their faith, and returns internally displaced Christians to their homelands.
“For far too long, the world has turned a blind eye to the suffering of innocent Christians — entire villages destroyed, churches burned, pastors tortured, families torn apart,” Moore said in a press release. “This grave suffering must end now.”
Data cited by Moore’s office estimates that Islamist militant and armed groups have killed between 50,000 and 100,000 Christians in Nigeria since 2009. So far this year, 7,000 have been killed — an average of 35 per day — and more than 19,000 churches destroyed. Roughly 5 million Christians have been displaced, according to figures previously cited by CatholicVote.
Moore urged both parties to unite in defense of religious freedom, saying that America must not “stay silent while our brothers and sisters in Christ suffer grave persecution, and even martyrdom, for their faith in Jesus Christ.”
CatholicVote President Kelsey Reinhardt praised Moore’s measure as a courageous stand for religious freedom and a “bright light on the brutal persecution of Christians in Nigeria.”
“By condemning these atrocities and backing President Trump’s leadership, Rep. Moore courageously stands with our persecuted brothers and sisters, demanding accountability and action to end this massacre,” Reinhardt said. “Together, President Trump and Rep Moore are true guardians of religious freedom.”
Moore has spoken out repeatedly about the global persecution of Christians since his first House floor speech on the issue in April.
> Catholic rep tackles Nigerian government denials, cites evidence of Christian genocide <<
Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., also a Catholic, introduced a similar resolution the same day outlining steps the U.S. should take in response to the crisis.
>> Rep. Chris Smith unveils plan to defend persecuted Christians in Nigeria <<
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