“So far we have not heard anything about this decision. However, I think any political choice aimed at promoting security, if well thought out and implemented, may help. The important thing is that it may last”. This is how mgr. Shlemon Warduni, Chaldean patriarchal vicar of Baghdad, comments with SIR the news that the Iraqi Government would have created a special corps for protecting the Christian places of worship after the wave of attacks of July 12th. According to governmental sources, this defence corps will be provided with modern equipment to detect explosives and will be composed of appropriately trained men. “Over the last few days – Warduni adds –, the patriarch, card. Mar Emmanuel III Delly, and I met the Prime Minister, Nuri Al Maliki, who invited us to contact the governmental office in charge of religions to be helped rebuild the churches damaged by the attacks”. “The population is tired – the Chaldean vicar concludes –, our people have lost confidence and are scared, but despite this they keep filling the churches. And this, I think, is a positive sign of hope in a better future”.
© SIR July 22 2009