FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 19, 2017

Archbishop and Religious Groups Hold Puerto Rico Prayer Vigil at US Capitol

Washington DC - As Congress considers recovery and relief packages for hurricane-hit Puerto Rico, the island's Archbishop and national religious on Wednesday will hold a prayer vigil in a Congressional office building.

"Puerto Rico needs a Congress that is sensitive to the pain of the people of Puerto Rico," noted Roberto González, Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of San Juan de Puerto Rico. Gonzalez will be the primary presider at the service. "It needs a Congress that respects Puerto Rico's right to reconstruct with dignity."

San Juan's Archbishop will be joined at the prayer vigil by a number of major religious groups including: the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the United Church of Christ, the National Association of Evangelicals, the Muslim Public Affairs Council, Catholic Charities USA, the Franciscan Action Network, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York and Jubilee USA Network.

The various groups will be praying and calling for adequate rebuilding aid, debt relief and financing for healthcare and child benefits on par with what US States receive.

"Puerto Rico desperately needs adequate rebuilding aid so its power grid and infrastucture is strong enough to withstand the next storm," noted Eric LeCompte of the religious development group that is organizing the event, Jubilee USA Network. "Puerto Rico needs debt relief and equal access to Medicare, Medicaid and child tax benefit funding."

The event will be held at noon on December 20th from noon-1 pm in room 121 of Congress' Cannon House Office Building

Available for Interview: Eric LeCompte, Executive Director
Contact: Lydia C. Andrews, Deputy Director
[email protected] / (o) (202) 783-3566 x109 (m) (847) 772-2305