The president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops urged the U.S.
government to "redouble its efforts to assist Iraqis" in providing
safety for its citizens, especially religious minorities.
"To meet its moral obligations to the Iraqi people, it is critically important that the United States take additional steps now to help Iraq protect its citizens, especially Christians and others who are victims of organized attacks," said Cardinal Francis E. George of Chicago in a Nov. 9 letter to U.S. President Barack Obama.
The cardinal sent the letter after the Oct. 31 attack on the Syrian Catholic church in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad that killed 58 people and wounded 75.
In a brief discussion of the letter during the Nov. 15 opening session of the bishops' annual general meeting in Baltimore, Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick, retired archbishop of Washington, said the attack on the church also raises the issue of how Christians who have left Iraq are faring in the countries where they are living as refugees.
He noted that before the current war, there were more than 900,000 Christians in Iraq, and that there are now fewer than 350,000. "Many who fled are wandering around, looking for work" in countries that are not equipped to handle the demand.
"Our country has not stepped up to help," said Cardinal McCarrick, noting that "these people have nothing and cannot go back."
Cardinal George responded to Cardinal McCarrick by noting that he and Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas of Tucson, Ariz., vice president of the conference, had been discussing the issue with Archbishop Pietro Sambi, apostolic nuncio to the United States.
While the stance of the church had been to encourage people to return to Iraq so the Christian community does not disappear in the country, Cardinal George said the recent developments make clear this is not a viable option.
The USCCB and the Vatican have been in contact with the State Department to encourage a shift in policy on admitting Iraqi refugees, Cardinal George said in his remarks to the bishops, who affirmed his letter to Obama by acclamation.
In the letter, the cardinal reminded the president that the U.S. bishops had expressed "grave moral questions" before the U.S.-led combat began in Iraq and had warned of the "unpredictable consequences" of that action, Cardinal George said, "The decimation of the Christian community in Iraq and the continuing violence that threatens all Iraqis are among those tragic consequences."
The attack, along with recent bombings in Baghdad, "are grim evidence of the savage violence and lack of security that has plagued the Iraqi people, especially Christians and other minorities, for over seven years," he said.
Although the U.S. bishops welcome the end of U.S. combat in Iraq, Cardinal George said, the United States "has so far failed in helping Iraqis to develop the political will needed to deploy effective strategies to protect the lives of all citizens."
"Having invaded Iraq, our nation has a moral obligation not to abandon those Iraqis who cannot defend themselves," he added.
The cardinal outlined a series of steps that, "at a minimum," the United States and the international community must help Iraq to achieve:
-- "Enable the Iraqi government to function for the common good of all Iraqis.
-- "Build the capacity of Iraq's military and police to provide security for all citizens, including minorities.
-- "Improve the judicial system and rule of law.
-- "Promote reconciliation and the protection of human rights, especially religious freedom.
-- "Rebuild Iraq's shattered economy so that Iraqis can support their families.
-- "Assist refugees and internally displaced Iraqis."
"To meet its moral obligations to the Iraqi people, it is critically important that the United States take additional steps now to help Iraq protect its citizens, especially Christians and others who are victims of organized attacks," said Cardinal Francis E. George of Chicago in a Nov. 9 letter to U.S. President Barack Obama.
The cardinal sent the letter after the Oct. 31 attack on the Syrian Catholic church in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad that killed 58 people and wounded 75.
In a brief discussion of the letter during the Nov. 15 opening session of the bishops' annual general meeting in Baltimore, Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick, retired archbishop of Washington, said the attack on the church also raises the issue of how Christians who have left Iraq are faring in the countries where they are living as refugees.
He noted that before the current war, there were more than 900,000 Christians in Iraq, and that there are now fewer than 350,000. "Many who fled are wandering around, looking for work" in countries that are not equipped to handle the demand.
"Our country has not stepped up to help," said Cardinal McCarrick, noting that "these people have nothing and cannot go back."
Cardinal George responded to Cardinal McCarrick by noting that he and Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas of Tucson, Ariz., vice president of the conference, had been discussing the issue with Archbishop Pietro Sambi, apostolic nuncio to the United States.
While the stance of the church had been to encourage people to return to Iraq so the Christian community does not disappear in the country, Cardinal George said the recent developments make clear this is not a viable option.
The USCCB and the Vatican have been in contact with the State Department to encourage a shift in policy on admitting Iraqi refugees, Cardinal George said in his remarks to the bishops, who affirmed his letter to Obama by acclamation.
In the letter, the cardinal reminded the president that the U.S. bishops had expressed "grave moral questions" before the U.S.-led combat began in Iraq and had warned of the "unpredictable consequences" of that action, Cardinal George said, "The decimation of the Christian community in Iraq and the continuing violence that threatens all Iraqis are among those tragic consequences."
The attack, along with recent bombings in Baghdad, "are grim evidence of the savage violence and lack of security that has plagued the Iraqi people, especially Christians and other minorities, for over seven years," he said.
Although the U.S. bishops welcome the end of U.S. combat in Iraq, Cardinal George said, the United States "has so far failed in helping Iraqis to develop the political will needed to deploy effective strategies to protect the lives of all citizens."
"Having invaded Iraq, our nation has a moral obligation not to abandon those Iraqis who cannot defend themselves," he added.
The cardinal outlined a series of steps that, "at a minimum," the United States and the international community must help Iraq to achieve:
-- "Enable the Iraqi government to function for the common good of all Iraqis.
-- "Build the capacity of Iraq's military and police to provide security for all citizens, including minorities.
-- "Improve the judicial system and rule of law.
-- "Promote reconciliation and the protection of human rights, especially religious freedom.
-- "Rebuild Iraq's shattered economy so that Iraqis can support their families.
-- "Assist refugees and internally displaced Iraqis."
SIC: TBP/USA