Iraqi Christians "losing hope"

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Iraqi Christians "losing hope"
A priest of the Chaldean Catholic Church in Iraq laments that the faithful are "losing hope" in the war-torn nation.

Father Philip Najim, procurator to the Holy See for the patriarch of Babylon, commenting to ZENIT on the situation of Catholics in Iraq, said that the "only armament we have to create peace is our prayer." Father Najim said that, in addition to traditional Lenten sacrifices, Iraqi Catholics need to witness the peace of Christ in their behavior and attitudes by drawing strength from God.

The priest described daily life in Iraq as a kind of genocide. The daily plague of kidnappings, deaths, bombings, fear and instability, coupled with the cumulative effects of the U.N.-imposed trade embargo that lasted 12 years, have all but demolished a culture that has roots deep in pre-Christian history. In Baghdad before the war, 35 parishes were flourishing. Now, many of the churches have been destroyed, and priests are limited to celebrating the liturgy only on Sundays, he said.

Father Najim added that Chaldean Catholics in Europe number more than 80,000. These represent, in part, the "diaspora" who have fled Iraq to escape the bloodshed. In the United States, there are two Chaldean Catholic Dioceses that include many Iraqi expatriates.

Catholics in Iraq are a minority, but nonetheless, they play an important role, he added.

Regarding the role of the Church in Iraq, the priest said: "Christians bear a powerful witness by their attitudes and way of life.

"We have built our cultures and traditions, families, friendships and faith, and we have always been friends with our fellow Iraqis."

Father Najim said that Church leaders in Iraq have invited all people to pray for peace and unity during Lent. "The freedom and dignity of the person are primary in our Catholic faith, and they are the basis for peace. . . . There can be no democracy unless it comes from within, and there can be no democracy without freedom."

An estimated half of Iraq's one million Christians have fled the country since the war, according to Ra'ed Bahou, director of the Pontifical Mission for Jordan and Iraq.

Although Saddam Hussein was cruel and despotic, during his regime the Christians were able to live very safely. Now they are targeted by extremist Islamic groups who see them as allies of the West.

Many Christian businesses have been attacked. Families with children are threatened with kidnapping. Christian women are advised to wear the veil when they go out on the street, for their own safety.

More than six Iraqi priests have been kidnapped and five Christian churches bombed in the last three years.

Thousands of Iraqi Christians have sought refuge in Jordan. As there is only one Chaldean Catholic priest in Amman, many have found their place within the churches of different rites. Bahou said that the churches in Jordan are so full now, worshippers have to come early to get a seat.

Over the last three years Pontifical Mission has sponsored workshops run by the Franciscan Sisters of Mary, to train Iraqi catechists. Until recently half were held in Iraq and half in Jordan. Because of the political situation the last two workshops in Iraq were suspended, although the organisers hope to be able to resume them soon.

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