By Baghdadhope*
On the occasion of the synod of the bishops of the Middle East that began in Rome on October 10 a group of Christian intellectuals living in Jordan launch an appeal to the Synodal Fathers.
The signatories of the appeal gathered in the Chaldean Patriarchal Vicariate in Amman and debated about the current situation in Iraq and especially that of Iraqi Christians, both those still living in their homeland and those who left it in search of safety. Among them, many are those living in Jordan, the country, these are the words of the document received by Baghdadhope, "whose government and whose population welcomed Iraqis with love under the auspices of His Majesty King Abdullah II."
The appeal is divided into five points:
1. The first point is addressed to the Church the role of which in unifying the people of different beliefs of the region is reminded.
2. The second point highlights the need for the Synodal Fathers to convey the essence of Christianity that originated in the East and that is based on the values of peace and love that cannot impose themselves through weapons or attacks on the weakest, and that of believing in the language of coexistence, love and mutual respect between the Christian and the Islamic components in the Arab land rejecting everything that could instead be divisive, reminding at the same time how what happens in the West has sometimes a negative impact on Christians living in that area. For this, the second point ends, the role of the Church in providing a moral model for politicians and parties that oppose these dangerous trends.
3. The Eastern Christians, and especially the Iraq ones, are the objects of the third paragraph of the document. They should be able to have an active role in the management of the state authority in consideration not only of their historical role and of their being able to, but also of their being in all respects Iraqi citizens. The state must protect them from assassinations, from forced displacement, from systematic persecution by gangs acting in the name of religion by attacking churches and killing its representatives. The Synod is asked to exert its influence on the Iraqi government so that it discover and condemn the perpetrators of criminal acts that struck the Christians, the original population of the country not originating from outside, that so many martyrs gave in defending it from foreign occupation that it strongly condemns. The Iraqi government is asked to help financially and morally its fellow citizens within its borders and in the diaspora, and to act to stop the phenomenon of migration that is draining the best energies of the country.
4. To the Eastern Churches is asked to close ranks to oppose the taking roots of the missionary churches of Western origin that act officially for moral and humanitarian purposes but that in reality aim at the fragmentation of local churches and to create problems in the relation between Christians and Muslims.
5. European countries and international organizations are asked to help all Iraqis, and Christians in particular, with special attention to those living in the countries bordering Iraq, and to stop the deportation of those living in exile because of insecurity in which Iraq still is.
The signatories of the appeal are: Dr. Benham Abu Al Soof, Dr. Ghazi Raho, Dr. Ibraheem Hakeem, Dr. Denha Tobia and Dr. Bader Yousef
On the occasion of the synod of the bishops of the Middle East that began in Rome on October 10 a group of Christian intellectuals living in Jordan launch an appeal to the Synodal Fathers.
The signatories of the appeal gathered in the Chaldean Patriarchal Vicariate in Amman and debated about the current situation in Iraq and especially that of Iraqi Christians, both those still living in their homeland and those who left it in search of safety. Among them, many are those living in Jordan, the country, these are the words of the document received by Baghdadhope, "whose government and whose population welcomed Iraqis with love under the auspices of His Majesty King Abdullah II."
The appeal is divided into five points:
1. The first point is addressed to the Church the role of which in unifying the people of different beliefs of the region is reminded.
2. The second point highlights the need for the Synodal Fathers to convey the essence of Christianity that originated in the East and that is based on the values of peace and love that cannot impose themselves through weapons or attacks on the weakest, and that of believing in the language of coexistence, love and mutual respect between the Christian and the Islamic components in the Arab land rejecting everything that could instead be divisive, reminding at the same time how what happens in the West has sometimes a negative impact on Christians living in that area. For this, the second point ends, the role of the Church in providing a moral model for politicians and parties that oppose these dangerous trends.
3. The Eastern Christians, and especially the Iraq ones, are the objects of the third paragraph of the document. They should be able to have an active role in the management of the state authority in consideration not only of their historical role and of their being able to, but also of their being in all respects Iraqi citizens. The state must protect them from assassinations, from forced displacement, from systematic persecution by gangs acting in the name of religion by attacking churches and killing its representatives. The Synod is asked to exert its influence on the Iraqi government so that it discover and condemn the perpetrators of criminal acts that struck the Christians, the original population of the country not originating from outside, that so many martyrs gave in defending it from foreign occupation that it strongly condemns. The Iraqi government is asked to help financially and morally its fellow citizens within its borders and in the diaspora, and to act to stop the phenomenon of migration that is draining the best energies of the country.
4. To the Eastern Churches is asked to close ranks to oppose the taking roots of the missionary churches of Western origin that act officially for moral and humanitarian purposes but that in reality aim at the fragmentation of local churches and to create problems in the relation between Christians and Muslims.
5. European countries and international organizations are asked to help all Iraqis, and Christians in particular, with special attention to those living in the countries bordering Iraq, and to stop the deportation of those living in exile because of insecurity in which Iraq still is.
The signatories of the appeal are: Dr. Benham Abu Al Soof, Dr. Ghazi Raho, Dr. Ibraheem Hakeem, Dr. Denha Tobia and Dr. Bader Yousef