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WASHINGTON (AP) — Two Republican congressmen have delivered Ash Wednesday speeches condemning widespread persecution of the world's Christians.
Alabama Rep. Bradley Byrne said that in the weeks leading up to Easter, Christians in many countries will be unable to openly practice their faith.
Byrne said Christianity is the world's most persecuted religion, and the U.S. should condition its aid to countries like Egypt and Iraq on their treatment of Christians and other religious minorities.
Virginia Rep. Frank Wolf also called for tougher action by the U.S. State Department, while urging American Christians to show greater concern and support for fellow believers who are suffering persecution.
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259-w-34-(Steve Coleman, AP religion editor, with U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne, R-Ala.)--Two Republican congressmen have delivered Ash Wednesday speeches condemning persecution of the world's Christians. AP Religion Editor Steve Coleman reports. (5 Mar 2014)
<<CUT *259 (03/05/14)££ 00:34
260-a-13-(Rep. Bradley Byrne, R-Ala., in House floor speech)-"profess their faith"-Alabama Congressman Bradley Byrne says many of the world's Christians will be persecuted in the weeks leading up to Easter. ((cut used in wrap)) (5 Mar 2014)
<<CUT *260 (03/05/14)££ 00:13 "profess their faith"
261-a-06-(Rep. Bradley Byrne, R-Ala., in House floor speech)-"beliefs are Christians"-Alabama Congressman Bradley Byrne says Christianity is the world's most persecuted religion. (5 Mar 2014)
<<CUT *261 (03/05/14)££ 00:06 "beliefs are Christians"
262-a-15-(Rep. Bradley Byrne, R-Ala., in House floor speech)-"should demand it"-Alabama Congressman Bradley Byrne says the U.S. should condition foreign aid on respect for religious freedom. ((longer version of cut used in wrap)) (5 Mar 2014)
<<CUT *262 (03/05/14)££ 00:15 "should demand it"
263-a-13-(Rep. Frank Wolf, R-Va., in House floor speech)-"and sisters abroad"-Virginia Congressman Frank Wolf the world's persecuted Christians need support from fellow believers in the U.S. (5 Mar 2014)
<<CUT *263 (03/05/14)££ 00:13 "and sisters abroad"
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