WASHINGTON (May 8, 1998) -- Archbishop Theodore McCarrick, Chairman of the International Policy Committee, United States Catholic Conference, issued a statement mourning the death of Most Reverend John Joseph, Bishop of Faisalabad, Pakistan, a leading human rights activist in that country.

Archbishop McCarrick said the death of Bishop Joseph is cause for great sorrow. "As Chairman of the Catholic Bishops' Justice and Peace Commission, he was a leading voice for the poor, the marginalized and the victims of injustice," the Archbishop McCarrick stated.

"We pray for the immortal soul of Bishop Joseph and offer our deep condolences to the Pakistan Episcopal Conference, to the people of the Diocese of Faisalabad, and to all the family, friends and co-workers of the bishop," Archbishop McCarrick continued. "May they be strengthened to carry on his work through non-violent and peaceful efforts to achieve a more just and equitable Pakistani society, in which religious liberty and other basic human rights are fully respected."

Text of Archbishop McCarrick's statement.

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