Scottish Catholic Observer

The Apostolic Nuncio to Great Britain has written to Archbishop Philip Tartaglia of Glasgow conveying Pope Francis’ appeal for local bishops to support Christians being persecuted in Iraq, as the humanitarian crisis worsens.

In a letter dated August 8, Archbishop Antonio Mennini passed on to the president of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland the Pope’s ‘heartfelt appeal’ for assistance in protecting those affected by the crisis in the Middle Eastern country, which has seen great loss of life as hundreds of thousands flee their homes, including children (above).

The statement, issued on the Holy Father’s behalf by the director of the Vatican Press Office, says the Pope ‘makes the impassioned appeals of the local bishops’ asking ‘that the whole Church and all the faithful raise up with one voice a ceaseless prayer, imploring the Holy Spirit to send the gift of peace.’

“His Holiness urgently calls on the international community to protect all those affected or threatened by the violence, and to guarantee all necessary assistance—especially the most urgently needed aid—to the great multitude of people who have been driven from their homes, whose fate depends entirely on the solidarity of others,” the statement continues.

It ends quoting Pope Francis’ words from July 20: “Violence is not conquered with violence; violence is conquered with peace.”

Over the last few months, the Islamic State (IS) has seized territory across Iraq, persecuting and killing Christians and other religious minorities. Witnesses have reported the death of Christians in camps from thirst and malnutrition, with Iraq-based Catholics calling the crisis genocide after extremists took over the country’s largest Christian town last week.

The Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue today called on Muslim leaders to condemn the persecution of Christian and Yazidis in Iraq. “The dramatic plight of Christians, Yazidis and other religious communities and ethnic minorities in Iraq requires a clear and courageous stance on the part of religious leaders, especially Muslims, as well as those engaged in interreligious dialogue and all people of good will,” the council’s statement said. “All must be unanimous in condemning unequivocally these crimes and in denouncing the use of religion to justify them. If not, what credibility will religions, their followers and their leaders have? What credibility can the interreligious dialogue that we have patiently pursued over recent years have?”

The statement adds: “We cannot forget, however, that Christians and Muslims have lived together—it is true with ups and downs—over the centuries, building a culture of peaceful coexistence and civilisation of which they are proud. Moreover, it is on this basis that, in recent years, dialogue between Christians and Muslims has continued and intensified.”

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