January 17, 2008

Iraq: SUDDEN VIOLENCE SHATTERS CALM                     

 Life in Iraq is a daily challenge.  In a climate of violence, shortages and economic disruptions it is impossible to live a normal life. Those fleeing the turmoil tell a foreboding expectation of their own loss of life. Fear pervades everyday life and death is never far away.

Iraq's small yet vigilant Christian community faces these daily challenges and more. Christians have been the target of frequent Islamic extremist attacks forcing tens of thousands to flee their country for safe haven. Consequently, the Christian community has decreased to some half million - a decrease of almost 50 percent since the 1990s. Houses of worship have not been exempt from the plague of violence.  Since June 2004 forty churches have been the targets of bomb attacks resulting in destruction, death and injury.

Recent months have seen significant improvement in the situation generally as the US military reports violence has fallen by a remarkable 60 percent. The Christian community took advantage of this welcome peace by turning out for Christmas services in numbers unthinkable a year ago. Several churches, big and small, were filled to capacity. Others had empty pews - a reminder of members now in neighbouring lands.

Cardinal Emmanuel III Delly, leader of the ancient Chaldean Catholic Church, celebrated Mass before about 2000 people in Eastern New Baghdad. Muslim clerics, both Sunni and Shiite, attended the service in a sign of unity. 'May Iraq be safe every year, and may our Christian brothers be safe every year,' Shiite cleric Hadi al-Jazail told reporters. 'We came to celebrate with them and to reassure them.'

Abruptly, the spirit of Advent peace was shattered several days later on Epiphany Sunday, 6 January. (Epiphany Sunday celebrates the manifestation of Christ to the world.) Three churches sustained major damage from a series of co-ordinated bombings in the northern city of Mosul. The first bomb exploded outside the Chaldean Church of St Paul followed by explosions outside the Assyrian church of the Virgin Mary and two bombs detonating outside the Chaldean church of Maskanta. A monastery and orphanage were also reported to be damaged by car bombs and explosive charges.

Baghdad churches were also attacked as car bombs exploded at the Church of St George. A Chaldean convent and two other churches were bombed as well. A few days later bombs struck two churches in Kirkuk, wounding three and inflicting damage. Thankfully no fatalities resulted but Archbishop Louis Sako remarked the attacks 'represent a clear message' and 'co-ordinated plan' in a further effort to intimidate the Christian minority to leave Iraq.

May these bombings not achieve their desired effect of spreading fear and discouragement within the Christian community.  Rather may the Church stand ever more vigilant. May we faithfully support the Church with prayer as it perseveres as a positive force of peace and healing within the fractured nation. 

'Therefore take the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.'
Ephesians 6:13 RSV

PLEASE PRAY SPECIFICALLY FOR:

* A continued reduction in incidents of violence throughout the
country and for Divine protection to surround the Christian
community; may God's peace prevail.

* Safety to surround Iraqi and foreign troops commissioned with the
difficult task of securing peace in the midst of volatility and
challenging circumstances; may God's grace be all-sufficient.

* A spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation to restore bitter
divisions within religious and ethnic communities; may God's
love abound. 

RLP guest writer Neal Youngquist serves as the International Services Director for Asia with Prison Fellowship International.
Elizabeth Kendal, our regular researcher and writer, is currently on annual leave.