WASHINGTON (September 8, 1997) -- The Chairman of the U.S. Catholic Conference's International Policy Committee has condemned the terrorist bombings in Jerusalem's Ben Yehuda market last week and asked Catholics in the United States to pray for an end to the violence in the Middle East.

Archbishop Theodore E. McCarrick Friday also offered his condolences to the people of Jerusalem and to Israel.

"The triple bombing in Jerusalem's Ben Yehuda pedestrian mall was a reprehensible act of terrorism," Archbishop McCarrick said. "Nothing can justify random acts of terror against innocent civilians. Hamas deserves condemnation for its campaign of terror bombing, and its militants should be unreservedly repudiated by the Palestian people and their leaders."

At the same time, Archbishop McCarrick urged the Israeli government to refrain from prolonged closures of the West Bank and Gaza, saying that such actions "stoke the resentments which undermine the prospects for peace."

"We urge U.S. Catholics to pray God fervently for a quick end to this cycle of violence in Israel, the Palestinian territories and Lebanon, and for genuine progress in the peace process."

Text of Archbishop McCarrick's statement.

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