Iraqi prelate begs Western help to save future of Christianity in Middle East
January 23, 2013
Archbishop Louis Sako of Kirkuk, Iraq, has issued a plea for help to Western Christians, warning that developments in the Middle East in the wake of the “Arab Spring” now threaten the future of Christianity in the region.
“We wonder if it is still possible to think of a harmonious way of living together,” the archbishop said in a message released through the Fides news service. He reported that Christians face mounting pressures from Islamic regimes, and suffer severe discrimination if they do not adhere to what amounts to a “state religion.”
Western influence has not helped the situation, Archbishop Sako reports. Clearly speaking about the current conflict in Syria, he expressed astonishment that Western leaders seem to think “that we can improve the situation by supporting an uncertain program to reach democracy through weapons.”
The Iraqi archbishop called for effective assistance to Christians in the Middle East, arguing that “these churches of apostolic origin deserve adequate support from the universal Church in their mission of communion and witness.”
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Posted by: Thomas429 -
Feb. 09, 2013 3:12 PM ET USA
Please stop blaming President George W. Bush/Vice President Chaney for anything that is occurring in Iraq, or anywhere else for that matter. Neither President Bush nor his Vice President have had any authority for more than four years. The take home message from this is about the relationship between Muslims and every other religion including smaller sects of the same faith is Muslim intolerance. There is no indication that that will ever change.
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Posted by: Minnesota Mary -
Jan. 24, 2013 11:16 AM ET USA
And George W. Bush says that Iraq is better off today than it was under Saddam Hussein! Who is better off? Certainly not the Christians who were free to practice their religion when Saddam ruled. His own Secretary of State was a Chaldean Catholic.
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Posted by: jg23753479 -
Jan. 24, 2013 10:17 AM ET USA
What George W Bush and his cohort have wrought.
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Posted by: Defender -
Jan. 23, 2013 6:00 PM ET USA
Obama won't help, it's the wrong religion.
