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Middle East Catholic Leaders: U.S. Must Do More In Refugee Crisis

NEWARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Roman Catholic leaders from the Middle East were in Newark Monday, calling on the United States to help with the refugee situation in Syria and the persecution of Christians.

As WCBS 880's Kelly Waldron reported, the call came on the heels of Pope Francis' visit, which focused heavily on the plight of migrants. Ignatius Youssef Younan, the bishop of the Syriac-Catholic Church, said with the persecution of Christians in the Middle East, he can no longer inspire hope in his people to stay.

Middle East Catholic Leaders: U.S. Must Do More In Refugee Crisis

"We really feel that we have been forgotten by the United States and European Union," Younan said.

Newark Archbishop John Myers agreed.

"First of all, we need to address our own government which I think could be doing more than it is," he said.

Myers also said Catholic Relief Services is ready and willing to help, and he is sure the group is trying to do so.

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