The other day I received this e-message from Aid to the Church in Need, and I am sharing it with readers.
URGENT PLEA FOR PRAYER – as more Christians in the
Middle East face exodus and exile, join with Iraqi Christians outside the
Houses of Parliament this Saturday (26 July), at 12
midday.
We at ACN appeal for your prayers
and solidarity, particularly for our brothers and sisters in Mosul, Iraq.
The Islamic State (formerly ISIS), which seized the city of Mosul, ordered
Christians to convert to Islam or pay the 'jizya' Islamic tax.
They were told failure to comply would mean "death by the sword".
More than 1,500 people have fled in
the last few days – having left almost all their possessions behind.
For the first time in 1,600 years, there have been no Masses or Liturgies
in Mosul, and reports have come in that an 1,800-year-old Syriac Catholic
Church was desecrated and burnt to the ground. Neville Kyrke-Smith,
National Director of Aid to the Church in Need UK, said "This is an
exodus in anguish as Christians flee terror into exile from their ancient
homelands – where for centuries they have built understanding and
trust between different communities. Just as in Biblical times, we cry with
them 'by the waters of Babylon' in tears and prayer."
Please join us in front of the
Houses of Parliament this Saturday (26 July) at 12 noon and take part in a
demonstration with Iraqi Christian communities, in support of those
suffering so much at this time. Neville writes: "If you cannot join us
in person then please join us in prayer at 12 midday by saying the Angelus
or the Rosary for all those who are suffering in the Middle
East."
In a message to all people of
goodwill, Patriarch Louis Raphael I Sako, Iraq’s most senior Catholic
leader, said: "It is truly unjust to treat Christians by rejecting them and
throwing them away, considering them as nothing."
As a Catholic charity for
persecuted and other suffering Christians, Aid to the Church in Need
invites you to stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Christ.
ACN is already offering emergency support – food, shelter and
medicine – to Christians in Nineveh who fled Mosul in the days that
followed the capture of the city and stands ready to do more. We are in
regular contact with both Patriarch Sako and Archbishop Amel Nona of Mosul.
Archbishop leads Christian
Iraqis
"It
is truly unjust to treat Christians by rejecting them and throwing them
away, considering them as nothing. Another war would mean the end,
especially for us Christians"
Patriarch Louis Raphael I
Sako
For more information go to
is.gd/acnuk_iraq
In addition here is a link to a post from
Rorate Caeli about the situation
Chaldean
Patriarch to Christians of Mosul: "We your shepherds will stay with you
to the end." "Our suffering will be salvation to us and others."
The FSSP have announced a day of intercession for Iraqi Christians on August 1st as can be seen in this post from NLM
Urgent Appeal -- August 1st Day of Prayer, Adoration, and Solidarity for
Persecuted Christians
This is an important issue which should command our attention and prayer. It is not commanding that much attention from the political leaders or the media of the West, as has been pointed out by
Le Figaro in France as can be seen at
MAJOR NEWSPAPER EDITORIAL BREAKS MEDIA SILENCE: Why the Global Conspiracy of Silence on Persecution of Christians in Iraq?
