ASIA/IRAQ - Catholics in Iraq proud to be associated with John Paul II attend solemn public liturgies of commemoration and are filled with new hope for the future

Baghdad (Fides Service) - In Iraq commemoration of Pope John Paul II and his great achievements has given Iraqi Catholics firmer faith and hope as they look to the future of their country and the world. The death of the Holy Father, the solemn liturgies held for him even in Iraq, and tributes paid to him all over the world, have filled the hearts of Iraqi Catholics, afflicted for many reasons, with a deep sense of responsibility of their duty to announce and bear witness to the message of Jesus Christ, following the example of Pope John Paul II, said Mgr Pyoss Qasha, parish priest at St Joseph’s church in Baghdad where a requiem mass was celebrated for the Pontiff in the presence of the Papal Nuncio and representatives of the Orthodox Church in Iraq.
Mgr Qasha said he hoped the situation of Christians in Iraq would improve noting that people are coming more frequently to church since the death of the Holy Father. “Catholics in Iraq are proud to be associated with John Paul II, a great man of our day. We know life here is difficult, full of hardship and danger but they come to mass and send their children to catechism. In the parish and the diocese we organise activities for our young people. We hope for a pastoral reawakening of the community which will coincide with an era of peace, stability and harmony in Iraq”.
Mgr. Qasha concluded: “We also try to help the poorest families with food, clothing, medicine. As priests we are close to the people to show them God’s love”
(AE) (Agenzia Fides 13/04/2005 Righe: 26 Parole: 271)