giovedì, luglio 02, 2009
Iraq: Mgr. Warduni (Baghdad) "the proposal of the Nineveh plains is detrimental"
Source: SIR
“The idea of the Nineveh Plains is detrimental”. The patriarchal vicar of Baghdad, mgr. Shlemon Warduni, does not mince his words as he flukes the proposal of a Christian enclave in Nineveh, which is under the jurisdiction of Kurdistan. A proposal that has been revived in the run-up to the referendum of July 25th about the plan for a new Constitution for Kurdistan. “This choice would be detrimental to all Christians – he says to SIR –. Christians cannot be locked up in a ghetto, Christians are all for openness”. According to the vicar, “there is one Iraq, there is one Iraqi population composed of many ethnic groups and religions. Iraq must remain one, and everybody must enjoy its wealth. We will be the richer when the Arab, Chaldean, Assyrian, Kurdish, Turkish cultures will be able to live together. As Christians, we have to work towards unity, cooperation and solidarity. We must get out of restricted circles and private interests”. This opinion is shared by mgr. Louis Sako, archbishop of Kirkuk, who just a few weeks ago stated, also to SIR, that “asking for an enclave for Christians is a dangerous political game: a ghetto would lead to sectarian, religious and political conflict; our freedom would be diminished by it. Demanding the establishment of a ghetto is against the Christian message, which wants us to be salt and leaven amidst the dough of mankind”.
“The idea of the Nineveh Plains is detrimental”. The patriarchal vicar of Baghdad, mgr. Shlemon Warduni, does not mince his words as he flukes the proposal of a Christian enclave in Nineveh, which is under the jurisdiction of Kurdistan. A proposal that has been revived in the run-up to the referendum of July 25th about the plan for a new Constitution for Kurdistan. “This choice would be detrimental to all Christians – he says to SIR –. Christians cannot be locked up in a ghetto, Christians are all for openness”. According to the vicar, “there is one Iraq, there is one Iraqi population composed of many ethnic groups and religions. Iraq must remain one, and everybody must enjoy its wealth. We will be the richer when the Arab, Chaldean, Assyrian, Kurdish, Turkish cultures will be able to live together. As Christians, we have to work towards unity, cooperation and solidarity. We must get out of restricted circles and private interests”. This opinion is shared by mgr. Louis Sako, archbishop of Kirkuk, who just a few weeks ago stated, also to SIR, that “asking for an enclave for Christians is a dangerous political game: a ghetto would lead to sectarian, religious and political conflict; our freedom would be diminished by it. Demanding the establishment of a ghetto is against the Christian message, which wants us to be salt and leaven amidst the dough of mankind”.
Etichette: Nineveh Plain, Sako, Warduni
