All the Christian denominations at funeral for slain (Iraqi Assyrian) priest

Asia News ^ | 4/7/2008

[markomalley]

Baghdad (AsiaNews) - There is a climate of "great fear" in the Iraqi Christian community in Baghdad, where the funeral was held yesterday for the Assyrian Orthodox priest, Youssef Adel, killed in cold blood last April 5 in the capital. The funeral, in the church of Saints Peter and Paul in the neighbourhood of Karrada, was celebrated by the Assyrian Orthodox archbishop of Baghdad and Basra, Saverius Jamil Hawa. Various members of the faithful and religious representatives from all the Christian denominations were present, including Athanase Matti Shaba Matoka, the Assyrian Catholic bishop of the capital, the patriarch of the Chaldeans, Cardinal Emmanuel III Delly, the apostolic nuncio in Iraq and Jordan, Archbishop Francis Assisi Chullikatt.

Youssef Adel, who was married but had no children, was about 40 years old and was the director of a mixed high school, attended by Christians and Muslims, young men and young women. He was assassinated by a group of unknown persons. In the past, he had received a number of death threats. Condemnation of the attack has been expressed by the Iraqi vice president, the Sunni Tareq al-Hashemi, and by the Assyrian Orthodox patriarch of Damascus. As soon as he heard the news, Benedict XVI expressed his profound sadness. In a telegram sent to Saverius Jamil Hawa, the pope "calls upon the Lord, that the Iraqi people may find the way of peace, in order to build a just and tolerant society".

The latest murder strikes at a community still in shock from the killing of the Chaldean archbishop of Mosul, Faraj Rahho, found dead on March 13 after 14 days in captivity. Many Christians are fleeing in order to survive the persecution, and it is now said that only 400-500,000 faithful remain in the country. In 2003, the figure was around one million. But at the funeral of the priest yesterday, there were also some - cited by the international news agencies - who said they were determined to stay: "it is a question of faith".

Christian leaders have frequently denounced a plan to eliminate their millennia-old presence from Iraq. And some advance the hypothesis that the Shiites are carrying out a calculated strategy in the Middle East, as demonstrated by the clashes in Basra in recent days, and by the situation in Lebanon and Palestine. In the perspective of this plan for Shiite supremacy, Christians - who are equated with the West - must be driven out.

[markomalley]

And some advance the hypothesis that the Shiites are carrying out a calculated strategy in the Middle East, as demonstrated by the clashes in Basra in recent days, and by the situation in Lebanon and Palestine. In the perspective of this plan for Shiite supremacy, Christians - who are equated with the West - must be driven out.

Gotta love this religion of peace!

[markomalley]

Orthodox/Eastern Catholic ping for your lists!

[dennisw]

I’ve always been in favor of waisting ten mosques for every Christian or Jewish leader who is assassinated. If people are in the mosques....that is their business. You level mosques you decimate the Islamic infrastructure. The psychotic mullahs have no place to strut their stuff

[dennisw]

wasting

[LibLieSlayer]

This is a PLAN that I can support!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LLS

[Leftism is Mentally Deranged]

Bush’s war: thousands of people killed just so the savages could kill Christians without obstacles.

[NYer]

The mother of Father Youssed Adel mourns by her sons casket, during a funeral at the St. Peter and Paul church in downtown of Baghdad, Sunday, April. 6, 2008. An Assyrian Orthodox priest was shot to death on Saturday by gunmen using silencers as the Christian cleric and his wife returned home after a trip to the market in Baghdad. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed)

An Iraqi priest participates in the funeral of Assyrian Orthodox priest Youssef Adel who was shot dead in Baghdad earlier this week. (AFP/Sabah Arar)

Lamia Sheet, wife of Father Youssed Adel, cries as she holds her husbands picture in front of mourners carrying the casket for a funeral at the St. Peter and Paul church in downtown of Baghdad, Sunday, April. 6, 2008. The Assyrian Orthodox priest was shot to death on Saturday by gunmen using silencers as the Christian cleric and his wife returned home after a trip to the market in Baghdad. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed)

[NYer]

The mother of Father Youssed Adel mourns by her sons casket, during a funeral at the St. Peter and Paul church in downtown of Baghdad, Sunday, April. 6, 2008. An Assyrian Orthodox priest was shot to death on Saturday by gunmen using silencers as the Christian cleric and his wife returned home after a trip to the market in Baghdad. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed)

An Iraqi priest participates in the funeral of Assyrian Orthodox priest Youssef Adel who was shot dead in Baghdad earlier this week. (AFP/Sabah Arar)

Lamia Sheet, wife of Father Youssed Adel, cries as she holds her husbands picture in front of mourners carrying the casket for a funeral at the St. Peter and Paul church in downtown of Baghdad, Sunday, April. 6, 2008. The Assyrian Orthodox priest was shot to death on Saturday by gunmen using silencers as the Christian cleric and his wife returned home after a trip to the market in Baghdad. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed)

[dennisw]

You have to come down on Islamics so hard they fear the consequences their murder and aggression. Nothing less works because they are immune to reason and immune to “live and let live”

[LibLieSlayer]

I agree 100%!

LLS

[Mrs. Don-o]

There has to be an all-out effort to convert the enslaved and spiritually starving Muslim umma to Christianity. I heard a rumor that Pope Benedict was going to challenge the C+L group (Comunione e Liberazione)--- to take up the evangelication of Muslims as a priority.

Don't know if it's true, but frankly, it's past time. Let's go.

[dennisw]

Muslims are seriously into the body count. They hate when anyone leaves especially a woman who can bear children> They kill Christian proselytizers. They are in thrall to their fake prophet and false idol of a God

[Mrs. Don-o]

GIMLI: Certainty of death. Small chance of success. What are we waiting for?

[SunkenCiv]

Ping!

[LibLieSlayer]

If you want to see Christians with their heads cut off... continue on. I would rather eliminate the threat at it's source. Bombs will work where prayer beads will not.

LLS

[Mrs. Don-o]

"If you want to see Christians with their heads cut off... continue on. I would rather eliminate the threat at it's source."

Its source is in hell. Read this little number with Mecca Mo in mind:

John 8:44

You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

"Bombs will work where prayer beads will not."

Bombs will "work" against flesh and blood, all right. Not against the one who was a murderer from the beginning, and the father of lies.

[LibLieSlayer]

I agree... and when islam is no more, Christianity will fill the hearts of those who turn from the dark angel's path.

LLS

[Barnacle]

Christians were safer under Saddam.

[Barnacle]

Christians were safer under Saddam.

[markomalley]

Christians were safer under Saddam.

I'm not a Saddam apologist, but, objectively you are correct.

I still say that we have an obligation to ensure that this minority is protected. (Of course, that's not exactly a popular view around here)