Source: SIR
Translated by Baghdadhope
"It is urgent that the Churches and the international community rally to help Iraqi Christians, as well as non-Christians, to remain in Iraq. The country cannot and must not be emptied of its Christian component."
This is what the Chaldean procurator to the Holy See and apostolic visitor of the Chaldeans for Europe, Mgr. Philip Najim, reaffirmed today to SIR underlying "the need to find common lines of action to alleviate the sufferings of people." "This choice - he explained - would have a positive impact on Iraqi refugees currently living in neighbouring countries, such as Syria, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey, who could start planning to go back, consistently with the improved conditions of safety and stability." "The situation our compatriots are living in those countries is very serious. They are far from their land, without work, without a recognition of their status, homeless and easy prey of unscrupulous people who exploit their desperation."
From this his complaint: "many desperate Iraqi families are selling their children, girls who are sexually exploited in the Gulf countries. This is a serious phenomenon affecting not only Christians but all Iraqis and that must end as soon as possible ". Regarding the situation of Iraqi refugees in Europe, Mgr. Najim reiterated a concept already expressed in more than one occasion, by Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, Prefect of the Congregation for Oriental Churches: "As for the issue of visas it cannot be decided on the basis of the religion of the applicant but on his actual needs and necessities. The risk - added Najim - is to create unnecessary expectations and encourage a further exodus from the country towards Europe. In this perspective could be counterproductive some initiatives, including that by bishops from Iraq, to sensibilize some European governments towards Iraqi refugees. The line to follow in these cases is to coordinate all actions, also the diplomatic ones, to find a useful and farsighted solution for Iraqis abroad. It is useful to strive to create projects aimed at facilitating the stay in Iraq and the return of refugees to the country to restore hope in some areas of it, such as Baghdad and Basra that remain, for security reasons also, outside the circle of aids. The aim is that the Church always pursues, to pacify the country and promote welfare, dialogue and coexistence between Muslims and Christians. "