Iraqi Prelate Decries Silence About Killings

10 Christians Murdered in 2 Months

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BAGHDAD, Iraq, JAN. 22, 2010 (Zenit.org).- The archbishop of Baghdad is decrying the media silence and political indifference surrounding recent violence against Christians in his country.

In response to the two latest murders, which took place Sunday and Monday, Archbishop Jean Sleiman said, «Let us break the wall of silence that surrounds the killing of Christians in Mosul and in Iraq.»

«Christians are killed in Mosul, while the State does nothing,» he told SIR agency. «The forces of order serving in the places of the attacks and killings don’t see, don’t hear, don’t speak.»

This «curtain of silence» is encouraged by the media, the prelate lamented.

«But for one or two exceptions, the media remains excessively silent about these killings,» he observed.

«A new exodus is about to begin,» the archbishop said. «Once again, Christians are sacrificed on the altar of the radical policies of this country.»

On Sunday, Saadallah Youssif Jorjis, a 52-year-old Syrian Catholic, a husband and father of two daughters, was shot dead.

The next day, Amjad Hamid Abdullahad, a 45-year-old Catholic businessman, was killed outside his home.

Over the days of Christmas, there were several attacks against Christian churches, a car bomb, a kidnapping and three homicides.

Since the beginning of December, 10 Christians have been killed and a bomb destroyed a bus carrying Christian students to school.

Archbishop Louis Sako of the Kirkuk Archdiocese in Northern Iraq voiced his concern that this crisis will lead to another mass exodus of Christians determined to «leave the country for good.»

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ZENIT Staff

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