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BISHOPS MAKE PASTORAL VISIT TO IRAQ, REPORT ON STATE OF CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY
Targeted News Service
October 12, 2011 Wednesday 3:34 AM EST
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops issued the following news release:
Bishop Gerald Kicanas of Tucson, Arizona, and Bishop George Murry,
SJ, of Youngstown, Ohio, made a pastoral visit to Baghdad, October
2-5, at the invitation of the bishops of Iraq. They stayed with the
apostolic nuncio, Archbishop Giorgio Lingua, and visited churches,
convents, schools and hospitals in the city.
Bishop Kicanas and Bishop Murry are the chairman of the board of
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and secretary of the U.S. Conference
of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), respectively. They made the trip as
representatives of the USCCB and visited the four Christian communities
in Baghdad, the Chaldean, Latin, Armenian and Syrian Catholics.
"The Christians in Baghdad have suffered greatly; their faith has
been tested," said Bishop Kicanas. "One of the most moving moments
in the visit was praying with Archbishop Athanase Matti Shaba Matoka,
archbishop emeritus of Baghdad, in the Syrian Catholic Church of Our
Lady of Deliverance where so many were killed in the bombings and
shootings that took place there on October 31 of last year."
The bishops prayed at the tomb of the two priests killed in the siege
and viewed the damage done to the Church by four suicide bombers.
"Because of religious tensions, Christians in Iraq do not feel safe
in their churches or their homes," said Bishop Murry. "Many have
emigrated to the north of the country or have left Iraq entirely,
which greatly concerns the bishops there. One Chaldean priest told
us the chilling story of his kidnapping and being held for ransom by
two different groups. Many people had similar stories to tell."
The bishops also celebrated Mass with Bishop Shlemon Warduni and
the Chaldean Christian community of the Church of the Assumption,
as well as Archbishop Jean Benjamin Sleiman, O.C.D. and the Latin
Catholic community, and visited the small Armenian community served
by Archbishop Emmanuel Dabbaghian.
The bishops toured Caritas Iraq programs in Baghdad that serve
Christian and Muslims. These included a well-baby program, programs
integrating people with special needs, assistance for victims of
violence, assistance for displaced families, and peace building and
reconciliation programs.
"In every instance we were impressed by the great good being done by
the Caritas staff and volunteers," said Bishop Murry. "Large numbers
of the poor have access to health care. Parents are assisted in caring
for their children, including those with disabilities. Women have
opportunities to learn how to cook, to sew and to use computers. There
are opportunities for dialogue in order for people of different faiths
to understand one another better. Volunteers are trained to use their
talents to assist others."
"In discussions with the bishops of the region, with others who serve
the Church in Iraq and with Caritas staff as well as in visits around
the city, we saw and heard the challenges and aspirations of the
Christians in Iraq and of its other citizens," said Bishop Kicanas.
"Instability and the fear of violence permeate the city. People pray
and long for peace. The sanctions, war, and occupation have taken
a heavy toll on the people. The terrible condition of the roads,
the concrete security walls around churches and buildings in the
city reflect the fractionalization of the community and the dire
situation that exists. So many have fled the country or are internally
displaced. Many live in desperate situations. Christians will remain
in Iraq only if there are opportunities to work, if greater stability
and peace can occur."
Bishop Murry and Bishop Kicanas will inform the U.S. bishops, the
CRS Board, and the government of the United States on what they saw
and experienced.
"As the United States military moves to the planned withdrawal from
the city in the next months, it is critical that a plan be in place
for a peaceful transition and not one marred by more violence and
the killing of innocent people," said Bishop Murry.
Targeted News Service
October 12, 2011 Wednesday 3:34 AM EST
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops issued the following news release:
Bishop Gerald Kicanas of Tucson, Arizona, and Bishop George Murry,
SJ, of Youngstown, Ohio, made a pastoral visit to Baghdad, October
2-5, at the invitation of the bishops of Iraq. They stayed with the
apostolic nuncio, Archbishop Giorgio Lingua, and visited churches,
convents, schools and hospitals in the city.
Bishop Kicanas and Bishop Murry are the chairman of the board of
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and secretary of the U.S. Conference
of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), respectively. They made the trip as
representatives of the USCCB and visited the four Christian communities
in Baghdad, the Chaldean, Latin, Armenian and Syrian Catholics.
"The Christians in Baghdad have suffered greatly; their faith has
been tested," said Bishop Kicanas. "One of the most moving moments
in the visit was praying with Archbishop Athanase Matti Shaba Matoka,
archbishop emeritus of Baghdad, in the Syrian Catholic Church of Our
Lady of Deliverance where so many were killed in the bombings and
shootings that took place there on October 31 of last year."
The bishops prayed at the tomb of the two priests killed in the siege
and viewed the damage done to the Church by four suicide bombers.
"Because of religious tensions, Christians in Iraq do not feel safe
in their churches or their homes," said Bishop Murry. "Many have
emigrated to the north of the country or have left Iraq entirely,
which greatly concerns the bishops there. One Chaldean priest told
us the chilling story of his kidnapping and being held for ransom by
two different groups. Many people had similar stories to tell."
The bishops also celebrated Mass with Bishop Shlemon Warduni and
the Chaldean Christian community of the Church of the Assumption,
as well as Archbishop Jean Benjamin Sleiman, O.C.D. and the Latin
Catholic community, and visited the small Armenian community served
by Archbishop Emmanuel Dabbaghian.
The bishops toured Caritas Iraq programs in Baghdad that serve
Christian and Muslims. These included a well-baby program, programs
integrating people with special needs, assistance for victims of
violence, assistance for displaced families, and peace building and
reconciliation programs.
"In every instance we were impressed by the great good being done by
the Caritas staff and volunteers," said Bishop Murry. "Large numbers
of the poor have access to health care. Parents are assisted in caring
for their children, including those with disabilities. Women have
opportunities to learn how to cook, to sew and to use computers. There
are opportunities for dialogue in order for people of different faiths
to understand one another better. Volunteers are trained to use their
talents to assist others."
"In discussions with the bishops of the region, with others who serve
the Church in Iraq and with Caritas staff as well as in visits around
the city, we saw and heard the challenges and aspirations of the
Christians in Iraq and of its other citizens," said Bishop Kicanas.
"Instability and the fear of violence permeate the city. People pray
and long for peace. The sanctions, war, and occupation have taken
a heavy toll on the people. The terrible condition of the roads,
the concrete security walls around churches and buildings in the
city reflect the fractionalization of the community and the dire
situation that exists. So many have fled the country or are internally
displaced. Many live in desperate situations. Christians will remain
in Iraq only if there are opportunities to work, if greater stability
and peace can occur."
Bishop Murry and Bishop Kicanas will inform the U.S. bishops, the
CRS Board, and the government of the United States on what they saw
and experienced.
"As the United States military moves to the planned withdrawal from
the city in the next months, it is critical that a plan be in place
for a peaceful transition and not one marred by more violence and
the killing of innocent people," said Bishop Murry.