"We do not want to wait to see the complete elimination of Christians, Yezidis and certain Muslim groups before we actually declare this violence for what it is."

The path of nonviolence is a "daunting" task as is "reaching people's very souls" through compassion and dialogue.

"The situation is very hard. We cry out with one voice, 'Don't forget us,'"

Whatever the church does must be done with mercy.

"The climate right now is causing disasters and making it difficult for people to live wholesome, decent lives."

Such hardened hearts often were behind the persecution of innocent men and women seeking to follow God's will.