Patriarch Louis Raphael Sako has thanked Britain’s Prince Charles for expressing his solidarity with persecuted Iraqi Christians, saying the Chaldean Catholic Church is “much moved” by the gesture.
In a letter dated Aug. 22nd, the heir to the British throne wrote: “You have no idea how heartbroken I am to hear of the truly unbearable and barbaric persecution being suffered not only by Christians in Iraq, but also by some of their neighbours of other faiths, alongside whom they have lived for hundreds of years.
“I want you to know, above all, that my heart goes out to all those whose lives have been so brutally shattered by this terrible conflict,” he continued.
The Prince of Wales offered the Chaldean Church his “special prayers and profound sympathy”, saying it was his “fervent hope and prayer” that the “diabolic evil” would be overcome and “allow peace to return to the cradle of civilization”.
He closed by saying he was offering a “very small token of assistance” made through the charity Aid to the Church in Need, and said it was being sent “with the greatest concern and sympathy.”
In response, Patriarch Sako thanked him for his “concern, solidarity and charity,” adding that he was “very much moved by your gesture.”
Recalling the “massacres, atrocities and other human rights abuses” endured by Iraqi Christians, he said the Chaldean Church considers it a “kind of genocide and are deeply concerned.”
“Therefore,” he concluded, “we ask your Highness to encourage the international community to preserve the lives and the dignity of the huge number of people affected by this disaster.”
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On the NET:
Chaldean Donation from HRH the Prince of Wales, Patriarch Sako Answers It
