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=> Chaldean Patriarch Says Nations Should Not Turn Away Fleeing Iraqis

Chaldean Patriarch Says Nations Should Not Turn Away Fleeing Iraqis

Posted by Jeff (Guest) - Saturday, October 22 2005, 21:14:34 (CEST) from 69.14.30.71 - d14-69-71-30.try.wideopenwest.com Commercial - Windows XP - Mozilla Website: Website title:

Chaldean Patriarch Says Nations Should Not Turn Away Fleeing Iraqis Courtesy of the Catholic News Service 17 October 2005 By Carol Glatz (ZNDA: Rome) Iraqis fleeing violence and terrorism in their country should not be turned away by other nations and sent back to face an unfolding tragedy, said the leader of Iraq's Chaldean Catholics. "I pray that Western governments, including the United States, take pity on these Iraqis and at least offer them a stay permit for those who are already there and, if possible, a visa" for those wishing to arrive legally, said Chaldean Patriarch Emmanuel-Karim Delly of Baghdad, Iraq. He told Catholic News Service that it was extremely difficult for Iraqis wishing to leave the country to obtain visas. Many travel to Syria or Jordan with the hope of eventually joining relatives in the United States, Australia or Europe. But "the way out is blocked," he said, "with thousands of lies." Patriarch Delly, who was in Rome for the Oct 2-23 Synod of Bishops on the Eucharist, said officials at foreign embassies in charge of issuing visas tell applicants "that the war is over, that Saddam (Hussein), the dictator, is finished, now Iraq has a democracy." "What democracy" he asked, "when I can't leave my home and I'm afraid to leave my house," because of the daily violence and bloodshed? The patriarch said he had no information about the final results of the Oct. 15 referendum to approve an Iraqi constitution. Although initial results indicated the constitution was approved, some areas, such as the city of Fallujah, recorded an overwhelming "no" vote. U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said Oct. 17 the constitutional referendum had not unified the country, and violence could be expected to continue. Some Christian leaders estimate that that just in the period from August to October 2004 between 10,000 and 40,000 Christians left Iraq. Patriarch Delly said he would love for the Iraqi people to be able to stay and live in their home country, "but when your children get kidnapped or killed, when there's no security, no peace, well, of course (people) will want to spend the 20 or 30 years they have left to live on this earth abroad." "We pray that governments let those who are living in their countries -- to not send them back to Iraq and to have pity on them," he said. The patriarch said he was enormously grateful for the solidarity shown by the Chaldean communities abroad who generously give aid to those in Iraq. "If it weren't for our Chaldean immigrants in Detroit, in Chicago, California, and elsewhere, the situation for our faithful would be much worse than what it is now," he said. People in Iraq are afraid to accept employment being offered because they are afraid they will look like they are "collaborating with the Americans, and they would be killed," he said. "Relatives, parents -- they are the ones sending help through the church, through friends, to help these people live," he said. Patriarch Delly also told CNS that he was concerned about what he suspected was a moneymaking venture undertaken by some evangelical groups. He said there are new evangelical groups arriving from "Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and Egypt, supported with American, English or German funding," and they begin operations in Baghdad. He underlined that the Chaldean Catholic Church has always had good relations with evangelical groups that have established churches in Iraq. But he said these "new evangelicals" pouring in are engaged more in raising funds from foreign, rich donors than spreading the Gospel. The groups first "give (Christians and Muslims) money, give them clothes, they promise them to find a way to get them a visa," he said. Then the groups take pictures of the large numbers of people who flock to the centers and with the pictures the groups "write to their benefactors in Germany, France, America, saying 'look how many people'" they have helped and converted, he said. Many of the Iraqis who go to these churches are poor and desperate for the money and only stay "'converted' for a year or two for as long as they" need the aid, he said. Just in one small neighborhood in Baghdad there are at least 12 new evangelical centers "because anyone can open up a church now since it makes them money," he said. "We ask (these groups), 'Are you missionaries for love of Christ or for love of money?'" he said. But he added that he hoped God would someday "show the light" to these new evangelical leaders "who are our brothers, and we want to collaborate in making Christ known to everyone." "But here (in Iraq), Christ is already known. We have been Christian for 2,000 years; if they want to convert people (to Christ) they should go elsewhere" where Christ is not yet known, he said. --------------------- - BACK TO INDEX - REPLY - QUOTE - EDIT - DELETE -

The full topic: Chaldean Patriarch Says Nations Should Not Turn Away Fleeing Iraqis Jeff - Saturday, October 22 2005, 21:14:34 (CEST) Re: Chaldean Patriarch Says Nations Should Not Turn Away Fleeing Iraqi beezelbub - 10/22 21:41

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