Iraqi Christians have full support of Vatican, Pope assures Chaldean Synod
October 26, 2015
Pope Francis has assured Iraqi Catholics of the “complete support and solidarity” of the Vatican as they face the violence of the Islamic State and the steady drain of emigration.
Speaking to the members of the Chaldean Catholic Synod, the Pope acknowledged that the Church in Iraq has suffered “a great hemorrhage of faithful who leave the lands of their fathers.” That exodus, he said, is caused by the threat of violence and the lack of security for Christians in Iraq.
The Pope observed that “this of affairs clearly undermines the vital Christian presence in that land which witnessed the beginning of the journey of the Patriarch Abraham, heard the voice of the prophets who called Israel to hope during the exile, and saw the foundation of the first churches upon the blood of many martyrs.”
Pope Francis encouraged the Chaldean bishops to “work tirelessly as builders of unity in all the provinces of Iraq,” to support their clergy, and to serve the faithful as they struggle to maintain the historic Christian presence.
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Posted by: skall391825 -
Oct. 29, 2015 5:40 PM ET USA
"So, what does the good Pope propose besides solidarity? For starters, how about transferring only one tenth of his emphases on "climate change" (which isn't even happening) on to his muted, never repeated call for international action to stop the unspeakably REAL Holocaust horrors actually occurring ?
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Posted by: Bernadette -
Oct. 28, 2015 12:57 PM ET USA
So, what does the good Pope propose besides solidarity? How I wish I could do something for my suffering brothers and sisters! Aid to the Church in Need and The Catholic Near East Welfare Association are good charities with people/missionaries on the ground helping the people. Give to them. Pray, pray, pray hard. Talk about the dire & sad situation with relatives and friends and co-workers. Offer Prayers of the Faithful for them at Mass. When we are tempted to complain, remember them.
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Posted by: skall391825 -
Oct. 27, 2015 3:37 AM ET USA
I sure hope this does not mean we should risk losing our focus to reduce our industrial output and place a huge, permanent tax on US taxpayers so that the UN can fight global warming. What's a few decades of Muslim terrorist genocide, rape, mutilation, torture and horrors unknown since WW II that may take us back to the seventh century compared to the possibility of global warming? Sure got to hand it to the Vatican.
