Iraq : Christians being Persecuted for their Faith .

[Paulus]

Imagine having your house daubed with a Cross or a big 'C' for Christian, knowing that your house was about to be targeted and taken. This is what happened in Mosul - and the Arabic letter 'N' equating to Nazarene was daubed on Christian properties by the jihadist IS forces (Islamic State formerly known as ISIS). Now a city which had up to 60,000 Christians ten years ago has no Christians - they have had to flee, after being told to convert or face the sword. It is estimated that 100,000 Christians have since fled Mosul and the surrounding villages to seek refuge in the Kurdish region of Northern Iraq (Ankawa, Dohuk & Erbil). For the first time in 1600 years no Mass or any Christian service has been celebrated in Mosul since the IS militants forced the Christians to flee. Churches have been detonated and set ablaze, converted to Mosques and all crosses torn down - with ancient tombs desecrated and destroyed.

Louis Raphael Sako - Patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church and President of the Assembly of the Catholic Bishops in Iraq is co-ordinating the relief campaign to provide emergency help for the Christian and other minorities expelled from their homelands. In a recent plea for help he wrote:

"There are seventy thousand displaced Christians in Ankawa along with the other minorities in this city that has a population of more than twenty-five thousand Christians. The families who found shelter inside the churches or schools are in a rather good condition while those who are still sleeping in the streets and public parks are in a deplorable situation ..."

"In Dohuk, the number of Christian refugees amount to more than 60,000 and their situation is worse than those in Erbil... the human needs are escalating: housing, water, medicine and funds... The Churches are offering everything within their capacity."

The international Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need is helping Patriarch Sako lend support to the work of the Church, helping tens of thousands of displaced people fleeing persecution from IS militants.

http://www.aidtochurch.org/

[Paulus]

Organised by Aid to the Church in Need , Prayer Vigil for persecuted Christians tomorrow at the church I attend for Sunday Eucharist .

Open to all Christians in the town .

May God bestow his blessing on this vigil of prayer and in his mercy hear their prayers .

http://www.acnuk.org/events.php/335/prayer-vigil-for-religious-freedom-accrington

[DaveW]

And the Prez DARES to say to us that IS is NOT islamic? ? ? ?

[Paulus]

Yesterday Pope Francis expressed his concern for Christians who are being persecuted around the world. He said: "With great trepidation I am following the tragic events of Christians who, in various parts of the world, are being persecuted and killed because of their religious beliefs. I feel the need to express my deep spiritual closeness to the Christian communities severely affected by this absurd violence which shows no sign of stopping, while I encourage the pastors and all the faithful to remain strong and steadfast in hope.

"Once again, I would like to make a heartfelt appeal to local and international political leaders, as well as to all people of good will, that a widespread mobilization of conscience be taken up in support of persecuted Christians. They have the right to recover safety and peace of mind in their countries, freely professing our faith. And now for all Christians, persecuted for being Christians, I ask you to pray the Our Father. "