ASIA/LEBANON - Day of Solidarity with Iraqi Christians in Beirut

Beirut (Agenzia Fides) – A Mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon on the hill of Harissa, near the Lebanese capital Beirut, closed the day of prayer and reflection entitled "The Cross in Iraq bleeds, when will the resurrection come?," organized on March 13, to remember the plight of Iraqi Christians.
The day was attended by Bishop Bshara-Raii, on behalf of Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir; the Iraqi Embassador in Lebanon Omar Al-Barzanji; Archbishop Gabriele Giordano Caccia, Apostolic Nuncio in Lebanon; and other Christian religious leaders.
"The presence of Christians in Mesopotamia and throughout the East is a humanitarian cause," said the Syriac Catholic Patriarch Ignatius Joseph Younan III. "For this reason, we express our solidarity, which is not just words and feelings."
"Christians in Iraq are affected by fanatical extremists who seek to deprive Iraq of security, and commit their acts in the name of religion. Iraq wants nothing to do with fanatical murderers," Ambassador Barzanji said.
Bishop Caccia gave a speech quoting Pope Benedict XVI, in which he urged Iraqi Christians to persevere despite the difficulties. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 15/3/2010)