The Iraqi Christian community “attended Sunday mass regularly”, despite a “climate of fear for possible new attacks”.  “I asked the faithful to have courage”, but the “fear” of a possible "new exodus of Christians from Iraq” remains.  Mgr. Shlemon Warduni, auxiliary bishop of Baghdad, speaks to AsiaNews one week from attacks - July 12 last – that targeted several churches in the country, in Baghdad and Mosul.  

“It went well”, commented Msgr. Warduni. “There was a high level of participation among the faithful, both in the morning and evening masses, which recorded only a slight decline” The prelate urged the Christian community “to come to mass” and the faithful “responded with courage. "  

In recent days a feeling of “powerlessness and despair” is spreading among Christians, which could lead to a new mass exodus. To everyday problems, such as unemployment, concerns over restarting businesses after years of war, fear over the recent wave of violence is added. Msgr. Warduni does not hide the danger of “a new exodus of Christians from Iraq” and says that “this feeling of fear, fuelled by deaths, injuries and destruction is normal”. “I asked the faithful to stay – he said - but we must also give them security guarantees, job opportunities, a future. Without these basic prerequisites, what can we say to them?”.
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