Anti-Christian attacks in Iraq part of brutal strategy, says archbishop

Rome, Italy, Nov 30, 2009 / 01:52 am

Archbishop Basile Georges Casmoussa of Mosul said last week that last Thursdya’s anti-Christian attacks in Iraq which destroyed a church and damaged a convent “show that there is a strategy to erase our cultural heritage and more than 2000 years of history” on the part of Muslim extremists. 

 

In an interview with L’Osservatore Romano, the archbishop said these Islamic groups “want to destabilize the atmosphere of trust in our country. We must oppose this atmosphere of hatred with strength and with prayer,” he added.

 

The strategy of these groups “is clear,” the archbishop continued.  “As soon as the situation becomes calm and it appears there is a chance Christians can return to their homes in their cities, the terror and violence reappear with greater threats.”

 

“This is the not the first time extremist groups lashed out at the symbols of the Christian community in Iraq. And it is not the first time that priests and religious have paid with their blood,” he explained.

 

After recalling the March 2008 assassination of his predecessor Archbishop Paulos Faraj Rahho, Archbishop Casmoussa said, “It seems like nobody is able to guarantee the safety of Iraqi Christians.”

 

“The only path to take to placate violence is dialogue,” the archbishop continued.  “Only then will we be able to isolate these extremist groups and become a tolerant country.  Now we must seek to be close to our small community and give ourselves strength and encouragement.”