By SIR
“Right now, the situation looks calm, but there are fears about what might happen on Friday after prayer, when a new protest rally has been convened in Tahrir square”. The Chaldean Patriarchal Vicar of Baghdad, mgr. Shlemon Warduni, takes stock of the situation in Iraq for SIR. “Tension is still palpable – he explains –, the population is asking for infrastructure to revive development and higher salaries to be able to live in a dignified manner. It is not easy for anyone to live with very few hours’ electricity”.
According to mgr. Warduni, however, “the people’s main demand is for higher salaries. This is powerfully asked for especially because of the huge salaries of ministers and MPs who seem to be paid several thousands of US dollars a month. However, they say such salaries will be dramatically reduced”. While social tension is rising as Friday draws closer, the situation of the Christian minority seems to improve. As to this, mgr. Warduni speaks of a “comparative calm, even if fears linger on. Many Christians go into the streets to protest, but others prefer to stay at home to avoid problems”. In the meantime, yesterday Christians received the “good news” that two Syro-Catholic bishops have been appointed, one in Mosul and one in Baghdad: “Let’s pray for them and for the mission they are called to accomplish”, the Chaldean Vicar says.
“Right now, the situation looks calm, but there are fears about what might happen on Friday after prayer, when a new protest rally has been convened in Tahrir square”. The Chaldean Patriarchal Vicar of Baghdad, mgr. Shlemon Warduni, takes stock of the situation in Iraq for SIR. “Tension is still palpable – he explains –, the population is asking for infrastructure to revive development and higher salaries to be able to live in a dignified manner. It is not easy for anyone to live with very few hours’ electricity”.
According to mgr. Warduni, however, “the people’s main demand is for higher salaries. This is powerfully asked for especially because of the huge salaries of ministers and MPs who seem to be paid several thousands of US dollars a month. However, they say such salaries will be dramatically reduced”. While social tension is rising as Friday draws closer, the situation of the Christian minority seems to improve. As to this, mgr. Warduni speaks of a “comparative calm, even if fears linger on. Many Christians go into the streets to protest, but others prefer to stay at home to avoid problems”. In the meantime, yesterday Christians received the “good news” that two Syro-Catholic bishops have been appointed, one in Mosul and one in Baghdad: “Let’s pray for them and for the mission they are called to accomplish”, the Chaldean Vicar says.
