Father James Martin was among the religious leaders testifying to members of the Helsinki Commission, which monitors human rights worldwide, about a surge in reported hate crimes.

"We express our strongest condemnation at this disquieting wave of violence and assure our bruised brethren of solidarity, prayerful communion and compassion."

Following attacks on houses of worship in Sri Lanka, New Zealand and the United States, Muslim and Jewish leaders sign a joint call for cooperation among different faiths.

The Catholic Church in Sri Lanka is hopeful that schools will reopen soon for the first time since the Easter Sunday attacks on churches and hotels.

Sri Lankan Catholic officials said Thursday that church-run schools that have been closed since Easter Sunday bombings are expected to reopen next week, and Sunday Masses will resume this weekend if security conditions are appropriate.

Catholic leaders canceled Sunday Masses as Sri Lanka's churches remained closed for a second week for fear of new terrorist attacks after the Easter Sunday suicide bombings that killed more than 250 people.