Me: The United States started this with its intervention in Iraq as response to 9/11 (which John Paul II warned us not to do). We bear responsibility for the situation.
BAGHDAD, August 13, 2014 (Zenit.org) - Iraq's most senior Christian leader has declared that the US and the EU have a moral obligation to flush out jihadist forces from the Nineveh plains and enable communities to return to their ancestral homes.
In a statement today, Chaldean Catholic Patriarch Louis Raphael I Sako of Baghdad calls on the US, European countries and Arab nations to join forces and reclaim ancient communities in Nineveh from Islamist fighters.
He said outside intervention was necessary because the Iraq government in Baghdad and the Kurdistan Regional Government at present lack the resources to defeat the Islamic State, formerly ISIS, who last week seized towns and villages in Nineveh.
In his statement, Patriarch Sako said: “…the United States of America, due to their prior involvement in Iraq, the European Union and the league of Arab countries have the responsibility to act quickly for a solution.
“They must clear the Nineveh plain from all the elements of jihadist warriors and help these displaced families return to their ancestral villages… through an active and effective international campaign until the central Government and the Regional Government of Kurdistan become effective.”
He said that unless the international community stepped up action, it would bear responsibility if – as widely feared – the Islamic State exterminates Christians and other religious minorities.
He said: “If the situation does not change, the whole world should take responsibility [for] a slow genocide of an entire component of Iraqi society and its age-old culture. ISIS tries to erase all traces.”
The Patriarch’s statement – which comes with the support of bishops from Mosul – was sent to Aid to the Church in Need, the Catholic charity for persecuted and other suffering Christians.
In his message, Patriarch Sako highlighted the scale of the crisis facing more than 100,000 people who fled 13 villages in Nineveh for towns and villages further north.
He said vast numbers of displaced people “have been trying to survive in parks and public places for the past seven days”.
The Patriarch added: “From a spiritual and humanitarian point of view, the present circumstances for these exiled people are not acceptable while the suffering increases and the international efforts to alleviate their pain are insufficient.”
Patriarch Sako reiterated concerns about migration of Christians, amid warnings from a number of bishops from the region that the survival of one of the world’s oldest Church communities could be close to extinction.
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Aid to the Church in Need is an international Catholic charity under the guidance of the Holy See, providing assistance to the suffering and persecuted Church in more than 140 countries. www.churchinneed.
Read it online | Forward to a Friend | Comment onlineIn a statement today, Chaldean Catholic Patriarch Louis Raphael I Sako of Baghdad calls on the US, European countries and Arab nations to join forces and reclaim ancient communities in Nineveh from Islamist fighters.
He said outside intervention was necessary because the Iraq government in Baghdad and the Kurdistan Regional Government at present lack the resources to defeat the Islamic State, formerly ISIS, who last week seized towns and villages in Nineveh.
In his statement, Patriarch Sako said: “…the United States of America, due to their prior involvement in Iraq, the European Union and the league of Arab countries have the responsibility to act quickly for a solution.
“They must clear the Nineveh plain from all the elements of jihadist warriors and help these displaced families return to their ancestral villages… through an active and effective international campaign until the central Government and the Regional Government of Kurdistan become effective.”
He said that unless the international community stepped up action, it would bear responsibility if – as widely feared – the Islamic State exterminates Christians and other religious minorities.
He said: “If the situation does not change, the whole world should take responsibility [for] a slow genocide of an entire component of Iraqi society and its age-old culture. ISIS tries to erase all traces.”
The Patriarch’s statement – which comes with the support of bishops from Mosul – was sent to Aid to the Church in Need, the Catholic charity for persecuted and other suffering Christians.
In his message, Patriarch Sako highlighted the scale of the crisis facing more than 100,000 people who fled 13 villages in Nineveh for towns and villages further north.
He said vast numbers of displaced people “have been trying to survive in parks and public places for the past seven days”.
The Patriarch added: “From a spiritual and humanitarian point of view, the present circumstances for these exiled people are not acceptable while the suffering increases and the international efforts to alleviate their pain are insufficient.”
Patriarch Sako reiterated concerns about migration of Christians, amid warnings from a number of bishops from the region that the survival of one of the world’s oldest Church communities could be close to extinction.
--
Aid to the Church in Need is an international Catholic charity under the guidance of the Holy See, providing assistance to the suffering and persecuted Church in more than 140 countries. www.churchinneed.
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European Bishops to UN: Stop Atrocities in Iraq
Send Open Letter to Security Council, Stress Need for Urgent Decisions
By Staff Reporter
ROME, August 13, 2014 (Zenit.org) - The heads of all of Europe’s bishops conferences have asked the UN Security Council to take urgent decisions to put an end to persecution of Christians and other religious minorities in Iraq.
The Council of European Bishops’ Conferences made the appeal in an open letter.
In it, they call on the international community to take urgent “decisions to put an end to the atrocious actions against Christians and other religious minorities in Iraq”.
A copy of the letter will be handed over to different European governments and European Union authorities in the hope that they might join in the appeal.
The European bishops also hope that other institutional, cultural and religious bodies might join in this initiative condemning what is happening in this violation of the right to life, security and religious freedom.
It is urgent, the prelates state, to undertake concrete humanitarian steps to respond to the desperate situation of the Iraqi Christians. They say they hope that “in this case, too, the international community may be able to respond with rapid assistance to the many refugees and guarantee their security in returning to their cities and homes”.
The CCEE says the Catholic Church in Europe wishes to express its closeness to all those who are experiencing moments of fear and terror. It says it is committed to carrying out gestures of solidarity which are already underway to support the suffering peoples and families.
The bishops assure them of their prayers for peace and with great dedication raise their voices in calling on the United Nations to act with the necessary urgency on behalf of these and all the other victims of war and violence who are suffering and awaiting the world’s solidarity.
***
Full text of the letter:
St. Gallen, 12th August 2014
To the members of the Security Council of the United Nations
Excellencies,
The situation of Christians and other religious minorities in Iraq is totally unacceptable. The defense and protection of the Human Rights of these peoples and the survival of their communities are urgent and obvious. The International Community is called to put a stop to this tragedy with every possible, legitimate means.
We European Bishops, expressing also the sentiment of our faithful, request that the Security Council of the United Nations take those decisions that would stop these acts of atrocity as thousands of persons are dying or killed or forced to abandon their homes because of their religious affiliation.
The Secretary General of the United Nations and much of the world opinion have expressed their clear rejection of what is happening in Northern Iraq. It is urgent to take some concrete humanitarian measures to answer the plight of children, of women, of elderly and of many persons who have lost everything to escape death and who now risk dying of thirst and hunger.
In recent years much has been done to understand the responsibility of the International Community in safeguarding human rights, especially the right to life of innocent people, the right to security and the right of freedom of religion. We hope that even in the present case the International Community will be able to respond with urgent assistance for the many displaced people as well as enabling their safe return to their cities and their homes.
The tragedy unfolding in Northern Iraq, not only endangers multicultural coexistence that is part of our globalized world, but it is also a risk for Christians in a region where they have lived since the earliest years of Christianity and whose presence is appreciated and necessary for regional and world peace.
With our appeal, we join the Holy Father Pope Francis who in recent days has continuously called on the international community to bring concrete assistance to people in danger and to do its utmost to stop this infernal circle of violence.
The Catholic Church in Europe is close to all who have been obliged to escape from their homes or are living moments of fear and terror. It is concretely committed to solidarity with them through initiatives already underway. Without a decisive commitment of the International Community and the Iraqi authorities, however, these efforts will not succeed in resolving the problem.
To the members of the Security Council of the United Nations New York
Let us hope that the Security Council of the United Nations, whose purpose is to ensure international peace and security and to promote human rights, may be unwavering in its determination to reach this goal. We ask you, therefore, to act with the necessary urgency for these, and all victims of war and violence, that are suffering and awaiting the solidarity of the world.
Yours faithfully,
Cardinal Péter ERDÖ, Cardinal Angelo BAGNASCO,
President of the Bishops’ Conference President of the Bishops’ Conference
of Hungary and President of CCEE of Italy and Vice-President of CCEE
Cardinal Reinhard MARX,
President of the Bishops' Conference of the Germany President of the COMECE
Cardinal Seán BRADY,
President of the Bishops' Conference of Ireland
Cardinal Dominik DUKA,
President of the Bishops’ Conference of Cech Republic
Cardinal Willem EIJK,
President of the Bishops' Conference of the Netherlands
Cardinal Vincent NICHOLS,
President of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales
Cardinal Christoph SCHÖNBORN,
President of the Bishops’ Conference of Austria
Beatitude Sviatoslav SHEVCHUK,
Major Archbishop of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church
Patriarch Manuel CLEMENTE,
President of the Bishops’ Conference of Portugal
Exarch Christo PROYKOV,
President of the Bishops’ Conference of Bulgary
Archbishop Ricardo BLÁZQUEZ PÉREZ, President of the Bishops' Conference of Spain
Archbishop Ruggero FRANCESCHINI,
President of the Bishops' Conference of Turkey
Archbishop Zef GASHI,
President of the Bishops’Conference of SS. Cyril and Methodius (Serbia, Kosovo, Montenegro, Macedonia)
Archbishop Stanisław GADECKI,
President of the Bishops’ Conference of Poland
Archbishop Jean-Claude HOLLERICH, Archbishop of Luxembourg
Archbishop André-Joseph LÉONARD,
President of the Bishops’ Conference of Belgium
Archbishop Angelo MASSAFRA,
President Bishops’ Conference of Albania
Archbishop Mieczyslaw MOKRZYCKI,
President of the Roman Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Ukraina
Archbishop Fragkiskos PAPAMANÓLIS,
President of the Greek Bishops’ Conference of Greece
Archbishop Paolo PEZZI,
President of the Bishops’ Conference of Russia
Archbishop Georges PONTIER,
President of the Bishops’ Conference of France
Archbishop Ioan ROBU,
President of Bishops’ Conference of Romania
Archbishop Youssef SOUEIF, Archbishop of Maronites in Cyprus
Archbishop Sigitas TAMKEVICIUS,
President of Bishops’ Conference of Lithuania
Archbishop Philip TARTAGLIA,
President of Bishops’ Conference of Scotland
Archbishop Stanislav ZVOLENSKÝ,
President of Bishops’ Conference of Slovachia
Bishop Anders ARBORELIUS,
President of the Bishops’ Conference of the Nordic Countries
Bishop Markus BÜCHEL,
President of the Bishops’ Conference of Switzerland
Bishop Anton COSA,
Bishop of Chisinau (Moldova)
Bishop Andrej GLAVAN,
President of the Bishops’ Conference of Slovenia
Bishop Mario GRECH,
President of the Bishops’ Conference of Malta
Bishop Aleksander KASZKIEWICZ,
President of Bishops’ Conference of Belarus
Bishop Franjo KOMARICA
President of the Bishops’ Conference of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bishop Philippe JOURDAN, Apostolic Administrator of Estonia
Bishop elimir PULJIC,
President of the Bishops’ Conference of Croatia
Read it online | Forward to a Friend | Comment onlineThe Council of European Bishops’ Conferences made the appeal in an open letter.
In it, they call on the international community to take urgent “decisions to put an end to the atrocious actions against Christians and other religious minorities in Iraq”.
A copy of the letter will be handed over to different European governments and European Union authorities in the hope that they might join in the appeal.
The European bishops also hope that other institutional, cultural and religious bodies might join in this initiative condemning what is happening in this violation of the right to life, security and religious freedom.
It is urgent, the prelates state, to undertake concrete humanitarian steps to respond to the desperate situation of the Iraqi Christians. They say they hope that “in this case, too, the international community may be able to respond with rapid assistance to the many refugees and guarantee their security in returning to their cities and homes”.
The CCEE says the Catholic Church in Europe wishes to express its closeness to all those who are experiencing moments of fear and terror. It says it is committed to carrying out gestures of solidarity which are already underway to support the suffering peoples and families.
The bishops assure them of their prayers for peace and with great dedication raise their voices in calling on the United Nations to act with the necessary urgency on behalf of these and all the other victims of war and violence who are suffering and awaiting the world’s solidarity.
***
Full text of the letter:
St. Gallen, 12th August 2014
To the members of the Security Council of the United Nations
Excellencies,
The situation of Christians and other religious minorities in Iraq is totally unacceptable. The defense and protection of the Human Rights of these peoples and the survival of their communities are urgent and obvious. The International Community is called to put a stop to this tragedy with every possible, legitimate means.
We European Bishops, expressing also the sentiment of our faithful, request that the Security Council of the United Nations take those decisions that would stop these acts of atrocity as thousands of persons are dying or killed or forced to abandon their homes because of their religious affiliation.
The Secretary General of the United Nations and much of the world opinion have expressed their clear rejection of what is happening in Northern Iraq. It is urgent to take some concrete humanitarian measures to answer the plight of children, of women, of elderly and of many persons who have lost everything to escape death and who now risk dying of thirst and hunger.
In recent years much has been done to understand the responsibility of the International Community in safeguarding human rights, especially the right to life of innocent people, the right to security and the right of freedom of religion. We hope that even in the present case the International Community will be able to respond with urgent assistance for the many displaced people as well as enabling their safe return to their cities and their homes.
The tragedy unfolding in Northern Iraq, not only endangers multicultural coexistence that is part of our globalized world, but it is also a risk for Christians in a region where they have lived since the earliest years of Christianity and whose presence is appreciated and necessary for regional and world peace.
With our appeal, we join the Holy Father Pope Francis who in recent days has continuously called on the international community to bring concrete assistance to people in danger and to do its utmost to stop this infernal circle of violence.
The Catholic Church in Europe is close to all who have been obliged to escape from their homes or are living moments of fear and terror. It is concretely committed to solidarity with them through initiatives already underway. Without a decisive commitment of the International Community and the Iraqi authorities, however, these efforts will not succeed in resolving the problem.
To the members of the Security Council of the United Nations New York
Let us hope that the Security Council of the United Nations, whose purpose is to ensure international peace and security and to promote human rights, may be unwavering in its determination to reach this goal. We ask you, therefore, to act with the necessary urgency for these, and all victims of war and violence, that are suffering and awaiting the solidarity of the world.
Yours faithfully,
Cardinal Péter ERDÖ, Cardinal Angelo BAGNASCO,
President of the Bishops’ Conference President of the Bishops’ Conference
of Hungary and President of CCEE of Italy and Vice-President of CCEE
Cardinal Reinhard MARX,
President of the Bishops' Conference of the Germany President of the COMECE
Cardinal Seán BRADY,
President of the Bishops' Conference of Ireland
Cardinal Dominik DUKA,
President of the Bishops’ Conference of Cech Republic
Cardinal Willem EIJK,
President of the Bishops' Conference of the Netherlands
Cardinal Vincent NICHOLS,
President of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales
Cardinal Christoph SCHÖNBORN,
President of the Bishops’ Conference of Austria
Beatitude Sviatoslav SHEVCHUK,
Major Archbishop of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church
Patriarch Manuel CLEMENTE,
President of the Bishops’ Conference of Portugal
Exarch Christo PROYKOV,
President of the Bishops’ Conference of Bulgary
Archbishop Ricardo BLÁZQUEZ PÉREZ, President of the Bishops' Conference of Spain
Archbishop Ruggero FRANCESCHINI,
President of the Bishops' Conference of Turkey
Archbishop Zef GASHI,
President of the Bishops’Conference of SS. Cyril and Methodius (Serbia, Kosovo, Montenegro, Macedonia)
Archbishop Stanisław GADECKI,
President of the Bishops’ Conference of Poland
Archbishop Jean-Claude HOLLERICH, Archbishop of Luxembourg
Archbishop André-Joseph LÉONARD,
President of the Bishops’ Conference of Belgium
Archbishop Angelo MASSAFRA,
President Bishops’ Conference of Albania
Archbishop Mieczyslaw MOKRZYCKI,
President of the Roman Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Ukraina
Archbishop Fragkiskos PAPAMANÓLIS,
President of the Greek Bishops’ Conference of Greece
Archbishop Paolo PEZZI,
President of the Bishops’ Conference of Russia
Archbishop Georges PONTIER,
President of the Bishops’ Conference of France
Archbishop Ioan ROBU,
President of Bishops’ Conference of Romania
Archbishop Youssef SOUEIF, Archbishop of Maronites in Cyprus
Archbishop Sigitas TAMKEVICIUS,
President of Bishops’ Conference of Lithuania
Archbishop Philip TARTAGLIA,
President of Bishops’ Conference of Scotland
Archbishop Stanislav ZVOLENSKÝ,
President of Bishops’ Conference of Slovachia
Bishop Anders ARBORELIUS,
President of the Bishops’ Conference of the Nordic Countries
Bishop Markus BÜCHEL,
President of the Bishops’ Conference of Switzerland
Bishop Anton COSA,
Bishop of Chisinau (Moldova)
Bishop Andrej GLAVAN,
President of the Bishops’ Conference of Slovenia
Bishop Mario GRECH,
President of the Bishops’ Conference of Malta
Bishop Aleksander KASZKIEWICZ,
President of Bishops’ Conference of Belarus
Bishop Franjo KOMARICA
President of the Bishops’ Conference of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bishop Philippe JOURDAN, Apostolic Administrator of Estonia
Bishop elimir PULJIC,
President of the Bishops’ Conference of Croatia
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NEWS BRIEFS
Knights of Columbus Offers Matching Gift Campaign to Support Iraqi Minorities
Supreme Knight Says Situation Has 'Shocked the Conscience of the World'
NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT, August 13, 2014 (Zenit.org) - The Knights of Columbus announced this week that is establishing a fund to assist those – particularly Christians as well as other religious minorities – facing a horrific and violent persecution and possible extinction in Iraq and the surrounding regions.
The Knights has pledged an initial $500,000 and will match an additional $500,000 in donations from the public.
“The unprovoked and systematic persecution and violent elimination of Middle East Christians, as well as other minority groups, especially in Iraq, has created an enormous humanitarian crisis,” said Supreme Knight Carl Anderson. “Pope Francis has asked the world for prayers and support for those affected by this terrible persecution, and we are asking our members, and all people of good will, to pray for those persecuted and support efforts to assist them by donating to this fund.”
Anderson added: “It has shocked the conscience of the world that people are systematically being purged from the region where their families have lived for millennia – simply for their faith. It is imperative that we stand in solidarity with them in defense of the freedom of conscience, and provide them with whatever relief we can.”
Those seeking to assist with the relief efforts can donate to K of C Christian Refugee Relief by visiting www.kofc.org/Iraq or by sending checks or money orders to: K of C Christian Refugee Relief, Knights of Columbus Charities, P.O. Box 1966, New Haven, CT 06509-1966.
Donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Knights of Columbus Charities, Inc., is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a charitable organization under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code, and 100 percent of all donations collected by Knights of Columbus Charities, Inc., will be used for humanitarian assistance for those Christians – as well as other religious minorities –being persecuted or displaced in Iraq and the surrounding region.
The Knights of Columbus has a long history of providing humanitarian relief and has done so following Sept. 11, 2001; last year’s typhoons in the Philippines; Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Sandy; tornadoes; flooding in Mexico; and tsunamis in Indonesia and Japan.
In addition, the Knights of Columbus has also long supported persecuted Christians. Throughout the 1920s, the Knights provided humanitarian assistance and created international awareness of the persecution of the Catholic Church in Mexico.
The Knights of Columbus is the world’s largest Catholic fraternal organization with more than 1.8 million members worldwide.
Dedicated to charity, Knights last year provided more than $170 million and more than 70 million hours to charitable causes, assisting substantially with several humanitarian disasters from North America to Asia.
The Knights has pledged an initial $500,000 and will match an additional $500,000 in donations from the public.
“The unprovoked and systematic persecution and violent elimination of Middle East Christians, as well as other minority groups, especially in Iraq, has created an enormous humanitarian crisis,” said Supreme Knight Carl Anderson. “Pope Francis has asked the world for prayers and support for those affected by this terrible persecution, and we are asking our members, and all people of good will, to pray for those persecuted and support efforts to assist them by donating to this fund.”
Anderson added: “It has shocked the conscience of the world that people are systematically being purged from the region where their families have lived for millennia – simply for their faith. It is imperative that we stand in solidarity with them in defense of the freedom of conscience, and provide them with whatever relief we can.”
Those seeking to assist with the relief efforts can donate to K of C Christian Refugee Relief by visiting www.kofc.org/Iraq or by sending checks or money orders to: K of C Christian Refugee Relief, Knights of Columbus Charities, P.O. Box 1966, New Haven, CT 06509-1966.
Donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Knights of Columbus Charities, Inc., is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a charitable organization under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code, and 100 percent of all donations collected by Knights of Columbus Charities, Inc., will be used for humanitarian assistance for those Christians – as well as other religious minorities –being persecuted or displaced in Iraq and the surrounding region.
The Knights of Columbus has a long history of providing humanitarian relief and has done so following Sept. 11, 2001; last year’s typhoons in the Philippines; Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Sandy; tornadoes; flooding in Mexico; and tsunamis in Indonesia and Japan.
In addition, the Knights of Columbus has also long supported persecuted Christians. Throughout the 1920s, the Knights provided humanitarian assistance and created international awareness of the persecution of the Catholic Church in Mexico.
The Knights of Columbus is the world’s largest Catholic fraternal organization with more than 1.8 million members worldwide.
Dedicated to charity, Knights last year provided more than $170 million and more than 70 million hours to charitable causes, assisting substantially with several humanitarian disasters from North America to Asia.
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