Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Baghdad (Agenzia Fides) - A strong appeal in favour of Iraqi Christians was addressed to political and religious authorities in Iraq and the rest of the world by Chaldean Catholic Patriarch Mar Emmanuel III Delly during a recent short visit to northern Iraq. The Patriarch was speaking in Erbil, capital of the Khurdish region, on the occasion of the anniversary of the consecration of new Chaldean Catholic Church dedicated to the Sacred Heart. The Church is also dedicated Mar Qardagh, 3rd century martyr of the Eastern Church.
On May 6 in a church filled to capacity Mar Delly spoke of “persecution of Christians”. Accused of complicity with the foreign armies in Iraq, Christians are subject to escalating violence. Numerous reports come from the Baghdad district of Dora, of Christians disappearing or fleeing, victims of daily offences and crimes. Forced to leave their homes taking nothing with them indeed paying even a sort of “exit levy”, the only chance for Christians to remain in Dora is to arrange for a daughter or sister to marry a Muslim, which can eventually lead to the whole family converting to Islam.
In this serious situation the Chaldean Catholic Church denounced violation of the rights of Christians. Patriarch Delly said: “Christians are persecuted in a country where everyone is fighting to defend personal interests. They are Iraqis and have lived here for centuries contributing to the development of the country with love and sacrifice side by side with Muslim brothers and sisters. They are not foreigners they are sons and daughters of Iraq”.
The Patriarch concluded: “People in positions of responsibility are well aware of the suffering caused to Iraqi Christians and they must take action. Everyone must realise that Iraqi Christians are citizens like everyone else with the same rights and duties, part of the same family, Christians and Muslims are sons and daughters of the same land ”. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 9/5/2007 righe 29 parole 296)
