Patriarch: Islamist regimes ‘even worse’ than authoritarian ones

May 21, 2013

Questioning “the motive and the reasoning” behind support for regime change in Iraq, Egypt, Syria, and Libya, the head of the Chaldean Catholic Church said that Islamic fundamentalist regimes are “even worse” than authoritarian ones.

Under such regimes, Christians “will be considered second class because of their religion in a country in which Islam is the only standard,” said Patriarch Louis Raphaël I Sako. “I think moderate Muslims should be aware and assure Christians that they, indeed, will be respected as equal citizens.”

The patriarch made his remarks amid rising violence between Sunni and Shiite Muslims in Iraq. The nation’s Christians “are afraid, and their exodus continues,” the patriarch said.

 

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Further information:

• Chaldean patriarch warns surge in Iraqi violence will divide country (CNS)