Updates on persecuted Christians in the Middle East [Iraq, Syria, Lebanon]

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Against brute force we really only have the reaffirmation of what makes us strong, namely our fierce attachment to the happy acceptance, full of life, of others - with its joys and pains - and resistance to all forms of fundamentalism, be it Sunni, Shia or Jewish.

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Mar Raphael Louis Sako issues a message for the feast of the Transfiguration, which is also World Day of Prayer for Iraq. His Beatitude focuses on Pope Francis’ call for “brotherhood” to transform “hearts and minds”. As young people in Baghdad pray for Mosul, ISIS continues its advance in the North. UN sources report that July was a “tragic month” in terms of dead and wounded. Mar Sako offers prayer for peace.

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Dozens of Christian families fled the town north of Mosul, conquered over the weekend by ISIS. At least 70 members of the Muslim minority killed in the assault; Christians were forced to pay 80 dollars each, the cross removed from the church. The Islamists bombed the village of Telkef, killing a young Christian. Kurdish leaders order a counter-offensive, Baghdad offers air support.

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In a letter to Pope Francis, eastern patriarchs and the presidents of bishops’ conferences around the world, Mar Sako calls on the international community to come to grips with the situation and take “concrete actions”. The survival of the Christian minority is at stake and a strong stance is needed, even by Muslims. He appeals for help and solidarity.

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Father Adris Hanna celebrates the Eucharist at greater Stockholm’s Syriac Catholic Church. (photo: Magnus Aronson)

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Catholic nuns light candles spelling “peace” in Arabic in front of the altar during Mass in the Church of St. Catherine in Bethlehem, West Bank, on 27 July. (photo: CNS/Debbie Hill)

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Iraqi refugee children had found some stability in Syria before civil war erupted. (photo: Spencer Osberg)

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The head of the Chaldean Catholic Church pleaded with the international community to offer humanitarian assistance to Iraq’s persecuted Christians and to take political action to restore …

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ISIS militiamen have attacked predominantly Christian towns, including Qaraqosh, the most important Christian city in the north. Mar Sako makes an appeal, speaks of “a real risk genocide.” As Churches are desecrated, ancient manuscripts are destroyed. The “power vacuum” in Baghdad is helping Islamist expansionist ambitions.

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In the past few days, fighting took place between regular army troops and jihadist groups along Lebanon’s eastern border. Combat has been centred on the strategically important town of Arsal. Tensions are mounting in Lebanon’s predominantly Sunni areas. The deadlock in the presidential election is a source of further tension.

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AsiaNews is launching a fundraiser to support Christians targeted by the Islamic State, thus responding to a request by the Patriarch of Baghdad and Pope Francis’s urgent appeal “to guarantee all necessary assistance - especially the most urgently needed aid - to the great multitude of people who have been driven from their homes, whose fate depends entirely on the solidarity of others.” More than 100,000 people have been forced to flee their homes leaving everything behind and now have nothing to live on. To help them, five euros a day are enough. The funds raised will be sent to the Patriarchate of Baghdad, which will distribute them according to the needs of each family.

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Yesterday, the United Nations Security Council met in emergency session to discuss the crisis in the country. The need to stop the advance of Islamic militias and provide support and aid to the population. Ban Ki-moon “deeply dismayed”. President Barack Obama authorizes air strikes and the delivery of aid.

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Pope Francis has renewed his appeal to the Church to intercede on behalf of the persecuted Christians of Iraq. "The Holy Father is following with deep concern the dramatic news reports …

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Hundreds of thousands of Iraqi Christians have fled their homes as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) seized several Christian towns in northern Iraq, including Bakhdida …

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The plight of Iraqi Christians was discussed at the meeting of Eastern Catholic and Orthodox patriarchs in northern Lebanon. The tentacles of the jihadist octopus stretch even as far as Lebanon. The battle for Arsal symbolises the rising against the Islamist play. Doubts and worries surround the Lebanese army’s ability to face threats and the country’s deadlocked presidential election.

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At the Angelus, Pope Francis denounces “all kinds of violence” suffered by the people of Mosul and Qaraqosh, that seriously offend “God and humanity". Thanks to those who are “bringing relief to these brothers and sisters”. Card. Filoni sent on mission to Iraq. A minute of silence and prayer for peace, remembering the war in Gaza. “When we are distant from Jesus, we feel afraid and inadequate, to the point we believe we cannot make it. We lack faith. Yet Jesus is with us, ready to support us.” The apostolic journey to Korea August 13 to 18: “Accompany me in prayer! I need it.”

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The continued Islamic Caliphate violence against Christians and Yazidis. Reports of mass graves and the seizure of hundreds of women, dozens of dead dehydrated children. Appeals of Pope Francis against those who commit “hatred in the name of God”. Appeals Mar Sako, who speaks of the “alarming” situation and judges Washington’s position “disappointing”.

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At the conclusion of his August 10 Sunday Angelus address, Pope Francis again lamented the situation in Iraq and renewed his appeal for prayers for peace in Iraq and Gaza."The news …

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The raids near Erbil risk fuelling the division of the country. Oil rich Kurdistan attracts a lot of interest. The dream of a disintegration of the Middle East along ethnic and religious lines will not eradicate the danger of fundamentalists. The Chaldean Patriarch and Grand Ayatollah al-Sistani campaign for Islamic-Christian coexistence and the unity of Iraq.

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