Bsp. Ibrahim of Chaldean Catholic Church (Iraq) to speak

[GregoryPalamas]

As many of you have read Annunciation Church is putting together a mission event in our area to serve several purposes.

First, We wish to learn first hand of the suffering Christians in Iraq. Bishop Ibrahim N Ibrahim has graciously accepted our invititation to be our key note speaker.

Second, We wish to pull together as many Eastern Christians in the US as possible. With that in mind we are inviting churches from all the eparchies. Our major event will be held at The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Church in Palos Park, Ill. Three Chaldean Catholics are on our steering committee.

Third, We wish to raise as much money as we can in order to send to the Church utilizing Catholic Charities as we can. We are accepting donations through a designated fund established at Annunciation Church. We will have a market of Middle Eastern goods. Tickets are being developed for a banquet of Iraqi foods.

Here’s a summation of a recent address offered by the good Bishop. As you can see he should be a most provocative speaker.

"DETROIT, Mich. (CNS) – U.S. troops should withdraw and let Iraqi factions fight it out, the bishop for most Iraqi Catholics in the United States said June 19.

“Let the Iraqis kill each other, but let the occupying power get out, because they are not killing each other because they are Sunni or Shiite, but because they are with the Americans or against the Americans,” said Chaldean Catholic Bishop Ibrahim N. Ibrahim.

aina.org/news/20070627100830.htm

Pray for us.

CDL

 

[M-Dent]

The advice of the Archbishop of the Military, Archbishop O’Brien is more sound.

**The archbishop argued against pulling out of Iraq now, and said the U.S. must look at what is achievable. He added that military personnel feel that Americans at the grass-roots level still support them.

He thinks there is still a chance to have a free Iraq and see democracy spread through the region.
Archbishop O’Brien compared the Iraq situation to the Vietnam War. He was an Army chaplain in the early 1970s and served a year in Vietnam. **

The U.S. was gaining the upper hand there, he said, until the Tet offensive conducted by the North Vietnamese. Technically, it was a failed military action but it was a turning point in the war.

During a question-and-answer session after the archbishop’s address, one member of the audience argued that the American people were conned into getting into the war. Another said many opponents of the war feel the decision to invade Iraq was advanced by a small group of neoconservatives who wanted to get their hands on Iraq’s vast oil supplies.

Archbishop O’Brien disagreed with both notions.

He said that “reasonable people can disagree” about the war. He said he could see why some might feel the nation was conned because there is a great deal of skepticism about the war, but added, “I don’t think there was bad will on the part of the government” in deciding to go to war.

catholicvoiceoakland.org/07-06-04/front1.htm

 

[GregoryPalamas]

I have many opinions on the Iraqi war. All of them are self contradictory. What really interests me is helping the Iraqi Christians as much as I can. I know that Bishop Ibrahim’s ideas may not be the best for our foreign policy or even for the long term peace in the world but I’m convinced that it is important to hear what he has to say and to support the Christians in Iraq.

If you are in the Chicago area or are able to be on that weekend why not stop by? We have much more to do in preparation. This is an early alert.

CDL

 

[GregoryPalamas]

BTW There are some more details to be worked out but the week end of October 13-14 is what we are shooting for. If that doesn’t work out it will be October 20-21.

CDL

 

[Dan-Man916]

Well that’s pretty cool. I will have to try to be there.

I was at your parish a few weeks ago, during the Sunday of All Saints.
I try to go as often as possible, but unfortunately, it has only been just a few times.

 

[M-Dent]

I have many opinions on the Iraqi war. All of them are self contradictory. **What really interests me is helping the Iraqi Christians as much as I can. ** I know that Bishop Ibrahim’s ideas may not be the best for our foreign policy or even for the long term peace in the world but I’m convinced that it is important to hear what he has to say and to support the Christians in Iraq.

I share your interest and hope Greg.

May St. Thomas the Apostle and the martyrs in Iraq help strengthen the Iraqi Christians. They have survived many centuries in the Middle East, may the survive in Iraq until the Second Coming.

 

[Dale_M]

I know that Bishop Ibrahim’s ideas may not be the best for our foreign policy or even for the long term peace in the world but I’m convinced that it is important to hear what he has to say and to support the Christians in Iraq.

Yes, it is a difficult situation and hard for us who are not there to evaluate it. Bishop Ibrahim’s perspective is important to hear. I hope the mainstream media picks up on his speech.

 

[st_ignatius110]

I have many opinions on the Iraqi war. All of them are self contradictory. What really interests me is helping the Iraqi Christians as much as I can. I know that Bishop Ibrahim’s ideas may not be the best for our foreign policy or even for the long term peace in the world but I’m convinced that it is important to hear what he has to say and to support the Christians in Iraq.

If you are in the Chicago area or are able to be on that weekend why not stop by? We have much more to do in preparation. This is an early alert.

CDL

 

[st_ignatius110]

I so did not mean to post here. My little girl has just posted a TON of stuff. Sheesh. That’s what I get for leaving the computer unattended for 5 minutes! SHE IS ONLY 3!!!

 

[GregoryPalamas]

I so did not mean to post here. My little girl has just posted a TON of stuff. Sheesh. That’s what I get for leaving the computer unattended for 5 minutes! SHE IS ONLY 3!!!

Thank your 3 year old for reposting the invitation.

CDL

 

[GregoryPalamas]

I am curious. How many posters agree with the good bishop that only a strong and brutal leader willing and able to protect Christians can actually rule Iraq. Ergo, American troops may as well go back home.

Does our presence there do any real good? Or are you holding out hope that some form of peaceful democracy presumably favorable to the West can actually come into existence?

CDL

 

[M-Dent]

Does our presence there do any real good? Or are you holding out hope that some form of peaceful democracy presumably favorable to the West can actually come into existence?

The hope lies in basic security. The goal of a self sustainable police and military force; more than any real hope for a western style democracy. The government of Iraq may evolve over time. They may even have a real civil war/revolution, as opposed to the Al-queda insired killing sprees. But the Iraqi themselves assumes the responsibilities for overall security the US forces will remain in some capacity.

If the Iraqi’s really want the US troops gone they need only drop the weapons.

In regards to Christians in the Middle East they have a tremendous tolerance for persecution. The Christians do somehow survive among more stable (yet hostile governments to Christians) in such places as Saudia Arabia or Egypt. They deserve the right in Iraq. And time will tell if they can.