Date: 2006-03-29
Iraqi Prelate Says Christians Feel Desperate
Security Is Very Bad, Warns Chaldean
http://www.zenit.org/english/visualizza.phtml?sid=86822
BAGHDAD, Iraq, MARCH 29, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Baghdad's Auxiliary Bishop
Andraos Abouna gave his bleakest assessment yet of the situation in Iraq,
saying that despair is driving more and more Christians to leave the
country.
Describing a worsening of the security situation since last December's
parliamentary elections, the Chaldean prelate told how Christians were
living in fear of their lives.
"In their hearts they do not want to leave the country, but because of the
situation, they prefer to be outside Iraq," Bishop Abouna told the charity
Aid to the Church in Need.
The 63-year-old prelate explained: "Security is now very bad. There are a
lot of police in Iraq, especially around Baghdad -- you can find them
everywhere and they are increasing all the time. The problem is that the
quality of the policing is indifferent. Sometimes people feel afraid
because, more so than before, they do not feel secure."
Stressing that Christians have suffered no worse than others, Bishop Abouna
continued: "We still hope that Iraq will rise again, but it is very
difficult when we have a government that cannot decide anything. Can you
imagine what life is like without any real form of government?"
"Christians are getting less and less," he added. "When you look inside the
churches, they are full of Christians. But when you go outside you feel
that Christians are finished in Iraq."
Latest estimates indicate that Christians in Iraq number about 750,000,
down from more than 1 million before the U.S.-led invasion.
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