“Several churches in Baghdad have been threatened by terrorists. They want to scare Christians just before Christmas”. On the day that in Mosul two churches have been hit, with three people dead, two Muslins and one Chaldean, mgr. Shlemon Warduni, patriarchal vicar of Baghdad, reports to SIR: “one of the threatened churches is mine, Saint Mary’s. Unfortunately, from this point of view, the forthcoming Christmas will be one of the worst in the last few years. The climate of fear among the devotees is palpable, the news coming from Mosul today are only making it worse. However, we must not despair, we are planning to strengthen the security measures that are already in place in front of the churches, concrete blocks, especially against car bombs. But there’s still a fear of kamikazes”. “For prudential reasons, the Christmas Masses have been put forward – the vicar concludes –. We hope the strength of the Holy Child may avoid any violence. In this Christmas, I ask the world not to forget us”.

© SIR - 23 december 2009