Blueprints For Wooden Swing Play Set

The deafening silence surrounding Mosul and an interview with Bishop Kassarji

At first, Bishop Michel Kassarji before the relics of Saint Charbel in Hauterive, last June. We recall the space that we created to remind and support: Friends of Bishop Kassarji.

From of Life October 12, 2008, and by reporting Bagdadhope

Daniel Biella

denunciation of the Bishop of Lebanon Michel Kassarji at the forefront of the Chaldean nell'accogliemento
'Iraqis Chaldeans, an easy target of hatred between religions. " Do not mince words Monsignor Michel Kassarji since 2001 Chaldean Christian bishop of the Eparchy of Beirut, in defining the persecution taking place in Baghdad and throughout Iraq against Christians Chaldean in the city of Mosul, 12 people were killed and Thousands have also fled their homes in the last two weeks. Kassarji Michel, 52, of Lebanon, has for some years at the forefront in accepting Iraqi refugees in Lebanon who are able to leave Iraq, fleeing from the persecution of Muslim fundamentalist groups.

What is the current situation in Iraq? "The numbers speak for themselves. Of the 750 thousand Chaldean Christians in Iraq before 2004, the start of the violence against them (and the war waged by the United States, ed), today at least 300 000 have fled abroad, especially in neighboring countries, Syria, Jordan and Lebanon. Half of the Christian churches in Baghdad were burned, ecclesiastical and social structures are constantly subject to attacks. Of the 12 priests kidnapped for ransom, three were murdered. "

What are the reasons for persecution? " The Chaldeans are considered "crusaders," Friends of the occupying power, the United States, a predominantly Christian nation. Are forced to convert to Islam, and, if they refuse, they must leave their homes and their country. Many, especially young people, their families are taken away and killed. The Chaldeans in Iraq, one of the oldest Christian communities that still speak Aramaic, they became a real minority target. Pagano anger most intransigent of the fringes of Muslim Iraqis. "

How to get to Lebanon? " Every giorno da tre anni una ventina di caldei iracheni supera il confine, in modo illegale per le autorità libanesi, che non li riconoscono come rifugiati (Beirut non ha mai firmato la Convenzione Onu del 1951 per i richiedenti asilo, ndr) ritenendoli quindi dei clandestini. Per questo vivono nell’ombra, cercando ospitalità in case altrui e chiedendo appoggio alla comunità cristiana, che in Libano, al contrario di altri Stati, è una minoranza ben organizzata. Attualmente sono presenti almeno 10mila profughi, ai quali cerchiamo di fornire più assistenza possibile. Ma è un’impresa piena di ostacoli da superare."

In che senso? "Nonostante le autorità tollerino il nostro intervento nel rispondere humanitarian emergency, do not give us any help and we must act as quickly and quietly as possible. Often I have to go in person to talk to the ministers, with the police at the border, in prisons where detainees are refugees, to get some results and avoid the worst. Today what we can do is to find temporary accommodation for refugees and provide them with minimum medical support. "

What are the most urgent problems to solve? " Two of the most serious: to find decent work for adults, which their status as illegal immigrants are often exploited by the Lebanese themselves as low cost labor, and provide education to young people. Today I am almeno un migliaio i bambini in età scolastica delle 800 famiglie che aiutiamo. Di loro, la maggior parte non va a scuola. Per questo stiamo cercando appoggio per costruire una scuola pubblica nella Diocesi, per la quale ho già in mano l’autorizzazione del governo libanese ma mancano i fondi."

E l’aiuto internazionale? "È ancora poco. Anche per questo mi reco all’estero a spiegare la disperata situazione in cui versano i rifugiati iracheni. Tutti, cristiani e non, hanno l’obbligo morale di sapere quello che succede, e spero che a cuore aperto ognuno possa fare qualcosa. Come rappresentante della Chiesa caldea libanese, una delle 18 confessioni presenti nel Paese, oltre a tamponare l’emergenza I'm trying to move from its intransigent position on the government of Lebanon. But a very long and difficult road. "

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Beside the mosque dedicated to the Prophet Jonah, in Mosul. By courtesy of Musings from the Minster

An industry of death
against Iraqi Christians

Osservatore Romano 13 October 2008, thanks to Bagdadhop and for reporting

Interview with Prosecutor of the Patriarchate of Babylon of the Chaldeans, Philip Najim

Francis Recovery

industry in Iraq and the death program, the elimination of Christians from the country. The translation of 'black politics', through which, in many also try to gain illicit profits. A policy on which persists, by the international community, a deafening silence that is no longer acceptable. While we publish a front-page statement of the Patriarch of Babylon of the Chaldeans, Cardinal Emmanuel III Delly, in these days in Rome for the Synod of Bishops, his attorney Philip Najim said in an interview with L'Osservatore Romano: What are the conditions of Christians living in the country after the recent violent attacks by Islamic extremists, "criminal gangs who want at all costs, slow down and stop the peace process that the Iraqis wish to reach."

Monsignor Najim, what is happening in Iraq? Iraq has been transformed into a place of death, a country where industry and plan the death against defenseless people. And to pay the consequences are mostly Christian communities in Mosul in recent days are undergoing real persecution, never seen before. Only in the day today (yesterday, Sunday, ed) a thousand people have fled their homes because they are threatened by terrorist groups without scruples. You can not go on like this. There's too much silence around this issue. A silence that threatens to destroy the hope of the Iraqi people who are looking for peace and brotherhood.

What is the Church doing to help the Christian communities in Mosul?
For the Kosh, a few kilometers from Mosul, two Chaldean monasteries opened their doors to welcome families fleeing Mosul, but the diocese is committed to helping refugees. It is about a thousand people, many of them women and children, terrified at the violence and threats suffered. Armed gangs are spreading from Qal'at Sukkar a climate of terror among the population. Saturday afternoon three houses inhabited by Christians were blown up and forced to attend family violence. This city is now prey to dark forces, criminal gangs who want at all costs, slow down and stop the peace process that the Iraqis wish to reach.

Beyond the violence, there is distrust and intolerance between different ethnic groups in the country? Absolutely not. All Iraqi ethnic groups have always lived in a climate of tolerance and mutual respect. The Iraqis have never considered religion as a means to divide, rather they know that religion can unite and make a great contribution to the peace process. A signal came from the imam of Friday prayer calling on Muslims not to create violence. This is very important for the future of the country. All religions and ethnicities that are part of the nation is united under the name of their country Iraq.

What has changed in the country since the death of Archbishop Rahho? Unfortunately, nothing has changed. Before the death of Archbishop Rahho, was killed by his secretary Father Ragheed Ganni, along with the Archbishop and three other people were killed: the driver and two bodyguards. Certainly the situation has worsened in Mosul, there is a clear interest in this dark city by the Christians. This is a black politics, is not for man, not a policy to improve the situation and bring democracy and peace in the country. You can not create peace when you take away human life which is a natural human right and that it's a gift from God

But because the attacks against Christians? Their behavior destabilizes the balance of the country? Christians are being persecuted and threatened a community because they are weak, they never had political interests in order to gain something. The Christian people in Iraq want only peace, lives in loving his country, wants to be free to help build a better Iraq, and it does so seeking dialogue with other communities. Today, there minorities and called as an ordinary citizen I do not understand what it means minority. If there is a constitution, it speaks of the Iraqi people and not a Christian or Muslim. I am not a minority, are an Iraqi. We are Iraqi Christians, even in our identity papers it says "Iraq."

What the government is doing to end the violence? Unfortunately, nothing. For example, the governor of Nineveh, Kashmula, assured that he will do everything to stop these terrorist groups, it fails to take root because it is weak. This is demonstrated by the mass exodus of Christians from Mosul. For several days there are incidents of violence and the government did nothing to prevent it.

E la comunità internazionale? Stesso discorso. C'è un silenzio assordante da parte di molti Paesi e questo ci preoccupa. Anche le forze di occupazione in Iraq, purtroppo, contribuiscono a destabilizzare il Paese, poiché non riescono a garantire la pace. Nessuno si preoccupa di noi e dell'Iraq. Grazie a questa intervista vorrei richiamare l'attenzione di tutti affinché intervengano per porre fine alle violenze e rispettare la vita.

Le organizzazioni umanitarie riescono a far giungere i loro aiuti ai rifugiati? Anche le organizzazioni umanitarie incontrano serie difficoltà a operare a Mossul e in Iraq. Purtroppo non manca chi specula su questa drammatica situazione. L'unico aiuto efficace Iraqi Christians are offered by our Church that welcomes in the monasteries and places of worship hundreds of people offering psychological support. Unfortunately, Iraqi Christians are suffering unacceptable humiliation. Flee from Iraq to knock on doors of countries do not always willing to welcome. In Syria, Lebanon, Turkey and Jordan are living in a situation of illegality. In Europe, however, where around 80,000, we are looking for with the help of the Episcopal Commission of the European Community, to create a program for reception and integration because these are people who have lost their dignity.