Source: FIDES
All the Christian leaders in Iraq, on an ecumenical level, are united with deep sympathy for the sufferings of Christians in Mosul, and call for a global mobilization of churches on an international level, in an effort to save the Christian presence in Iraq. This is what Fides has learned from the "Council of Christian Church Leaders," a new coordinating body that brings together leaders of 14 Christian churches in the country. The Secretary General of the Council, Archbishop Avaki Asadourian, Archbishop of the Armenian Orthodox Church, told Fides: "We condemn the conflicts and acts of violence against Christian communities in Iraq, especially those which in recent days have heavily affected the faithful of Mosul. But as Christians, we must persevere in doing acts of kindness and being 'Good Samaritans' to all, without any distinction of religion or ethnic group. At this time of suffering, we are urging the government to do its duty to maintain peace and ensure security for all citizens of Iraq. We ask all churches in the world and all people of good will to raise their voices and to employ every peaceful and diplomatic means to help us." The Archbishop recalled that "the Christians in the Middle East have made a significant contribution to culture and the progress of this land, which they have inhabited for millennia. We see our commitment to the society in which we live as an expression of charity, Christian witness, and human passion. Without our presence, much is lost for the region of the Middle East, which gave the world the Savior of Mankind, Our Lord Jesus Christ." Speaking of Iraq, the Archbishop told Fides: "Unfortunately, in recent years the Christians in Iraq have been under attack by forces with bad intentions. However, our Christian faith teaches us to persevere against the forces of evil and to continue to do good. This is what Christians have always done in the land between the Tigris and Euphrates, as an important component of Iraqi society." "In these terrible times - concluded Archbishop Asadourian – we should always remember the words of our Lord who said: 'Do not fear those who kill the body, as they cannot kill the soul' (Matthew 10:28). We can overcome evil with good, with mercy and prayer. This is how we choose to live our lives in Iraq."
The Council of Christian Church Leaders was established on February 10 in Baghdad, as a coordinating body among the Christian leaders in Iraq. It includes 14 communities: the Chaldean Catholic Church, the Assyrian Church, the Assyrian Catholic Church, the Syro-Orthodox Church, the Syro-Catholic Church, the Armenian-Orthodox Church, the Armenian Catholic Church, the Greek Catholic Church; the Greek Orthodox Church, the Latin Catholic Church, the Presbyterian Church, the Assyrian Evangelical Church, the Seventh Day Adventist Church, and the Coptic Orthodox Church.