Iraqi bishop: Politicians ultimately responsible for continued persecution
August 11, 2011
The Iraqi government’s failure to provide security is at the root of the recent bombing of a Syrian Catholic church in Kirkuk, according to one of the nation’s leading prelates.
“The local government is weak and unable to assure security and stability in the region,“ said Archbishop Youhanna Boutros Moshe, the Syrian Catholic bishop of Mosul. “Who is ultimately responsible? Is it not those who are immersed in political quarrels and interested only in safeguarding their own positions and maintaining their share of the nation’s wealth.”
Referring to the recent bombing, Archbishop Moshe called upon politicians to “strongly denounce this repulsive crime, which will badly damage the reputation of Islam and the dignity of Iraq.”
“I hope that all what is happening in Iraq today will only serve to consolidate the firmness of faith of our Christians and their solidarity with one another,” he added. “No matter how big the evil may be, it can’t shake faithful hearts. Brave souls remain firm.”
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Further information:
- Iraq's Christians need more security (Aid to the Church in Need)
- Iraq: Catholic church bomb (CWN, 8/2)
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