By Most Rev. John Vlazny, Archbishop of Portland
Following the November meeting of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, most news reports focused on the election of our new President and Vice President. The unexpected turn of events captured the attention of reporters and other interested parties. Very little attention was given in the media to a letter from our out-going USCCB President, Cardinal Francis George, to President Obama concerning the recent violence against Christians in Iraq.
For two weeks in October our Holy Father hosted a synod of bishops from the Middle East. Throughout the synod again and again the speakers reminded us of the great need for peace in the Middle East. In his homily at the synod’s closing Mass, Pope Benedict XVI stated, “Peace is the indispensable condition for our life of dignity for human beings and society. Peace is also the best remedy to avoid emigration from the Middle East.”
Because of the ongoing violence, we know now that countless Christians are fleeing out of fear. There is concern that there will be very few Christians remaining in the region where our faith was born.
The cause of peace took another step backward on October 31st, shortly after the conclusion of the synod, when more than fifty Iraqis were killed in an attack on the Syrian Catholic Cathedral in Baghdad. The purpose of Cardinal George’s letter was to urge President Obama to “take additional steps now to help Iraq protect its citizens, especially Christians and others who are victims of organized attacks.”
As a result of the attack on the Syrian Catholic Cathedral in Baghdad, 58 people died and 75 were wounded. In his letter Cardinal George pointed out that the recent wave of bombings in Iraq’s capital provides grim evidence of the continued violence and lack of security which plagues the people of Iraq, especially Christians and other minorities. Furthermore, failures of security apparently are more egregious than even originally thought.
When the letter of Cardinal George was presented to the full body of bishops at our November meeting, we unanimously affirmed it and voiced our solidarity with the suffering of Christian people in Iraq and across the Middle East.
The cause of peace took another step backward on October 31st, shortly after the conclusion of the synod, when more than fifty Iraqis were killed in an attack on the Syrian Catholic Cathedral in Baghdad. The purpose of Cardinal George’s letter was to urge President Obama to “take additional steps now to help Iraq protect its citizens, especially Christians and others who are victims of organized attacks.”
As a result of the attack on the Syrian Catholic Cathedral in Baghdad, 58 people died and 75 were wounded. In his letter Cardinal George pointed out that the recent wave of bombings in Iraq’s capital provides grim evidence of the continued violence and lack of security which plagues the people of Iraq, especially Christians and other minorities. Furthermore, failures of security apparently are more egregious than even originally thought.
When the letter of Cardinal George was presented to the full body of bishops at our November meeting, we unanimously affirmed it and voiced our solidarity with the suffering of Christian people in Iraq and across the Middle East.
Some of the bishops of our conference attended the synod in Rome and related how bishops from the Middle East talked about murders, kidnappings, bombings and threats which forced people to leave their homes and businesses.
Archbishop Athanase Matti Shaba Matoka of the Syrian Catholic Church in Iraq, the prelate whose cathedral was attacked on October 31st, had this to say in an address to the synodal fathers, “The invasion of Iraq by America and its allies brought to Iraq in general, and especially to its Christians, destruction and ruin at all levels… seven years have passed and Christianity is still bleeding. Where is the will of conscience? All the world remains a spectator before what is happening in Iraq, especially with regard to Christians.”
As we bishops see this distressful evolution of events in Iraq, we find it important to remind our President and all our fellow citizens that our nation bears moral responsibility for working effectively with the Iraqi government in order to stem such violence.
As we bishops see this distressful evolution of events in Iraq, we find it important to remind our President and all our fellow citizens that our nation bears moral responsibility for working effectively with the Iraqi government in order to stem such violence.
Certainly we all welcome the end of the combat led by our nation in Iraq.
But this is no time to shrug our shoulders, go home and leave the Iraqis without the political will they need to deploy effective strategies to protect the lives of all their citizens, especially our Christian sisters and brothers. More assistance to refugees and displaced persons is also needed so they can return safely to their homes.
During this season of Advent we all look to the Middle East as we prepare to celebrate the birthday of our Savior in that troubled land so long ago.
During this season of Advent we all look to the Middle East as we prepare to celebrate the birthday of our Savior in that troubled land so long ago.
Sad to say, the shadow of the cross still hangs over the Middle East.
As Christ died on Calvary in reparation for sinful humanity, even today giving witness to the Christian values of thanksgiving and reconciliation are costly.
During the October 31st attack at the Baghdad Cathedral two priests were killed as one celebrated Mass and the other heard confessions. One prayed and asked the terrorists to spare the lives of his parishioners before he died. Another priest moved parishioners to a safer location in the church and was grievously wounded.
The Advent carol reminds us, “People, look east.”
The Advent carol reminds us, “People, look east.”
Because of the ongoing suffering of Christians in Iraq, we look east with anxiety and sadness.
We pray for those who continue to suffer. But our prayers need to be balanced with action.
I encourage you to join us bishops and call upon all our fellow citizens to stand in solidarity with the sufferings of our Christian sisters and brothers in Iraq and across the Middle East.
In the words of Pope Benedict at the end of the synod for the Middle East, “We must never resign ourselves to the absence of peace. Peace is possible. Peace is urgent.”
When it comes to working for peace in the Middle East, my sisters and brothers, the goal remains elusive but compelling.
