IRAQ: There is still hope for the Christians in Iraq, but only if we act now The international head of a Catholic charity has called on the world’s governments to act immediately to keep Christians and other religious minorities in Iraq. “If we do not want to be silent witnesses to the last chapter of the history of Christendom in Iraq, the international community must respond decisively now,” said Baron Johannes Heereman, international president of Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need. Baron Heereman made the statement after returning from Erbil, Iraq, where the charity is supporting the Church’s emergency aid for internal refugees. His words echoed Patriarch Louis Raphael I Sako’s message to him during his trip: “There is still hope for the Christians in Iraq, but only if we act now.” The international head of ACN travelled to Iraq at the invitation of the Patriarch of Babylon to show solidarity with the region’s suffering Christians and receive first-hand reports about the needs of the more than 100,000 displaced Christians. He met with Christians who have taken refuge in Ankawa, the Christian quarter of Erbil, and the villages north of Dohuk and Zakho. ACN has provided more than a quarter of a million US dollars (£160,000) for the Church’s emergency aid in the country. Baron Heereman said: “The situation is dramatic. We met bishops, priests, nuns and volunteers who are working day and night to provide elementary aid. Temperatures are around 44 degrees [Celsius]. The people need a roof over their heads and medical care. There is still much to be done.” Read more by clicking the following link: ow.ly/Awkvb #Iraq #IraqiChristians #acnsolidarity
Posted on: Wed, 20 Aug 2014 10:17:08 +0000
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