Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Baghdad (Agenzia Fides) - On the first anniversary of what is called "the tragedy of Mosul" when the jihadists of the Islamic State (IS) conquered the second city of Iraq, the Patriarch of Babylon of the Chaldeans, Louis Raphael I, turns to refugees forced to flee from their city with a message to express his closeness in prayer, along with the hope "that you can return home soon, in the land of your fathers".
Exactly one year ago, on the night between 9 and 10 June 2014, before the attack of the militias of the IS, equipped with machine guns and grenade launchers mounted on all-terrain vehicles, troops of the regular army stationed in Mosul fled, leaving in the hands of Jihadists also military bases full of heavy weapons.
In his message, sent to Agenzia Fides, the Patriarch invokes Iraqi politicians to work sincerely for reform and reconciliation. Only the prospect of national reconciliation - recalls the Primate of the Chaldean Church - will put an end to the tragedy of an entire population, making sure that the Iraqis do not continue to fight and kill justifying conflicts with religious reasons, and children continue to die of "hunger, thirst, or because there are no medicines".
The Patriarch confirms that the Church will make every effort to continue to support the multitudes of refugees scattered both domestically and in neighboring countries both materially and spiritually, continuing to pray that the Lord will soon grant the gift of peace. (GV) (Agenzia Fides 10/06/2015)
