ASIA/IRAQ - FIRST CHRISTIAN CONGRESS CONCLUDES WITH FORMATION OF INDEPENDENT CHURCH COUNCIL

Rome (Fides Service) – The first Christian Congress in Iraq on the theme “Our unity and our Rights” held in Baghdad attended also by Patrick Kanadi, delegate of Paul Bremer civil administrator in Iraq. Kanadi said “Christians in Iraq have a very ancient civilisation and a great history in their language, heritage and religions which dates to the time of Abraham, our Father in the faith with the Muslims. Today I honour this ancient Church which has retained its heritage and traditions despite years of difficulties and persecution ”, he concluded.
Addressing the Congress Bishop Shlemon Warduni, Patriarchal Administrator of the Chaldean Catholic Church, said: “the purpose of this Congress is to form an independent Church Council to present the Christian thought and word to the government and the people and cooperate with everyone to build a new Iraq. (B.M.) (25/10/2003 Fides Service; lines:16 words:173)