Far away from the comfort of our television screens, tablets and newspapers, a tragedy continues to unfold in Iraq. Islamist extremists, intent on eliminating any trace of Christianity, have cast out tens of thousands of Christians, a people with an almost 2,000-year history in the region.
Shortly after I began my mission as Archbishop of Toronto, 7 years ago, the Archbishop of Mosul visited me and shared his hopes for caring for his community. He wanted to build a little school, and we tried to help him. He also told me of what his people were suffering even then. Now Mosul, one of the oldest Christian communities in the world, is devoid of any trace of Christianity. Churches have been desecrated and destroyed. Families have been told they must convert to Islam or die. Scenes unfold daily of residents forced to flee their homes, stripped of their possessions, right down to the crosses around their necks, while others are murdered, martyrs literally laying down their lives for their faith. In 2003, there were an estimated one million Christians in Iraq; some suggest that no more than 150,000 remain today. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has stated that this persecution could be considered a "crime against humanity". Iraqi Christians have been begging the world to help them. It is fair to question whether the world is listening? From a distance, we ask ourselves, what to do? It is good that our Prime Minister has condemned this violence in Iraq. We can urge the Canadian government to use its full diplomatic influence to support the demands of the Archbishops of Mosul, led by His Beatitude Patriarch Mar Louis Raphael Sako. These faith leaders have urged the Iraqi national government to:
We would do well to follow the lead of countries like France, that have announced publicly their intention to provide asylum for those who are persecuted. Canada should take immediate action to provide a safe haven for those forced to flee their homeland. In Iraq, religious freedom is not just being tested; it is being assaulted. As always, we join in prayer and solidarity with our Christian brothers and sisters in Iraq. In the words of Pope Francis, "Violence will not win over violence. Violence is won over by peace!" Let us pray for an authentic peace in Iraq and in so many other troubled places in the world. Thomas Cardinal Collins Archbishop of Toronto 1155 Yonge Street, Toronto Ontario, M4T 1W2
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Statement from the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue:
The whole world has witnessed with incredulity what is now called the "Restoration of the Caliphate," which had been abolished on October 29,1923 by Kamal Ataturk, founder of modern Turkey. Opposition to this "restoration" by the majority of religious institutions and Muslim politicians has not prevented the "Islamic State" jihadists from committing and continuing to commit unspeakable criminal acts. This Pontifical Council, together with all those engaged in interreligious dialogue, followers of all religions, and all men and women of good will, can only unambiguously denounce and condemn these practices which bring shame on humanity:
The dramatic plight of Christians, Yezidis and other religious communities and ethnic minorities in Iraq requires a clear and courageous stance on the part of religious leaders, especially Muslims, as well as those engaged in interreligious dialogue and all people of good will. All must be unanimous in condemning unequivocally these crimes and in denouncing the use of religion to justify them. If not, what credibility will religions, their followers and their leaders have? What credibility can the interreligious dialogue that we have patiently pursued over recent years have? Religious leaders are also called to exercise their influence with the authorities to end these crimes, to punish those who commit them and to reestablish the rule of law throughout the land, ensuring the return home of those who have been displaced. While recalling the need for an ethical management of human societies, these same religious leaders must not fail to stress that the support, funding and arming of terrorism is morally reprehensible. That said, the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue is grateful to all those who have already raised their voices to denounce terrorism, especially that which uses religion to justify it. Source: Vatican Press Office, August 12, 2014 How to Donate: Agencies fundraising for the Middle East: Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace 1425 René-Lévesque Blvd West, 3rd Floor Montreal, Quebec, H3G 1T7 To donate: Click the above link. Or mail to the above address. Indicate "Emergency - Iraq". Please include your return address. CNEWA Canada 1247 Kilborn Place, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 6K9 To donate: Click the above link or write a cheque to "CNEWA Canada" and mail to the above address. Please indicate it is for "Iraqi Christian Relief." Aid to the Church in Need – Canada P.O. Box 670, Station H Montreal Quebec, H3G 2M6 To donate: Click the above link, or mail a cheque to the above address. Call the number found at the link above for more information. |
Father's Blog
Rev. Fr. Christopher Tracey
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