The G8 summit will be held July 6-8 in Gleneagles, Scotland.
Bishop William Skylstad, president of the episcopal conference, wrote to Bush on Tuesday on behalf of the conference.
Welcoming the summit’s special focus on Africa, Bishop Skylstad commended Bush for his administration’s commitment to improve the well-being of the people of Africa.
“We urge you to build on your strong record by working with your G8 colleagues to adopt new initiatives in support of African efforts to break the cycle of poverty and achieve integral human development,” Bishop Skylstad said.
“Africa will be a major beneficiary of your new programs for combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis and the Millennium Challenge Account,” the bishop said.
Among areas that merit priority consideration for new initiatives, Bishop Skylstad said the U.S. prelates encourage the G8 to strengthen peacekeeping efforts in countries affected by conflict as well as to support peace building and reconstruction efforts in countries emerging from conflict.
