Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Baghdad (Fides Service)- “Fundamentalist criminals continue to attack our churches which have always been places of peace and symbols of traditional peaceful co-existence among Christians and Muslims in Iraq. I would make it clear that the message preached in Christian churches is always of peace and encouragement to people to live in harmony indeed our churches are among the few places where people speak with hope for a better future for Iraq” Iraqi priest Fr Nizar Semaan, in Mosul, told Fides on Saturday 17 October with regard to bomb blasts in five different Christian churches early that morning.
“There are two options,” Father Nizar told Fides. “Either we leave our country and this is the choice of a few who say with deep regret and tears and doubts because where can we go? Western countries would not allow us to enter and we would be clandestine emigrants, without identity, or we stay and be massacred”. “But this second choice is unacceptable. I think of our young people who want to live and their only thought is to emigrate. We keep trying to offer them reasons for hope but these latest acts of barbarism leave us speechless”.
Father Nizar appeals to Christians everywhere: “Where are you? And even if you are watching at a distance, do you feel solidarity or only pity, couldn’t you do something more?” the priest says. “In his teaching the Pope urges us to work for peace and harmony. Therefore you cannot abandon in the hands of these terrorists; we do not need words, we need concrete help so that we can stay in this land where our families have lived for many years. I ask the Christians of the world, Italians in particular to hold a day of prayer for Iraqi Christians because we need your help and yours will be an example for all Christians everywhere”.
The first of five bomb explosions on Saturday October 16 was heard at 4.00am at St Joseph’s church in western Baghdad; there was a second explosion at St Joseph’s in the southern city district of Dora at 4.20 and another in front of St Paul’s church in the same area ten minutes later. The other two blasts happened respectively at 4.50 and 5.50 at the Karrada Orthodox church in central Baghdad and St Thomas’ church in Masur. These bomb blasts follow a series of attacks on Christians, adults and children. To escape from the trap of all against all there must be strong international support and vast mobilisation of public opinion not to forget Iraq’s 800,000 Christians a small minority at the mercy of raging fundamentalist wolves. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 18/10/2004 righe 38 parole 508)
