Concrete walls up to 10 feet high are being built around churches in
Baghdad and Mosul to protect Christmas churchgoers from violence.
The barriers are the Iraqi government’s response to reports of
increased threats to churches and other Christian communities ahead of
Christmas.
Normally celebrations would involve parties in church halls and
parks.
But after requests from church leaders, activities in both
Baghdad and Mosul are being scaled back to reduce the security threat.
“The sadness of the people is everywhere. Uncertainty is everywhere.
The question on everyone’s lips is ‘What’s next?’” Archbishop Bashar
Warda of Erbil told the charity Aid to the Church in Need.
“There is a
kind of desperation. But whatever happens, the people are determined to
celebrate the Christmas liturgy by any means possible.”
Access points to the churches are being controlled by police with scanning equipment.
Archbishop Warda said the barriers and security measures make
churchgoers feel as if they are “entering a military camp.”
However, he
praised the government for taking steps to improve security.
Government officials had asked parish priests if they wanted the
security walls.
Many clergy approved the plans while others said they
felt the actions would just intimidate a Christian community that is
already fearful.
In an Oct. 31 massacre at Baghdad’s Syrian Catholic Cathedral of Our
Lady of Salvation, 58 people were killed and more than 70 were injured.
At least 2,000 Christians from Mosul and Baghdad have fled because of
the violence.
Aid to the Church in Need is distributing emergency aid packages to
displaced Christians.
It has also arranged aid for the victims of the
Oct. 31 massacre and their families.
Archbishop Warda said the aid is being “welcomed with joy.”
“They feel very grateful and they are encouraged by the fact that
they are being remembered by others more fortunate than themselves,” he
explained.
SIC: CNA/INT'L