Abp. Sako in wake of gun attack: We are not afraid
A lunchtime gun attack on the Chaldean Archbishop’s residence in Kirkuk, Northern
Iraq has left two people dead and five wounded. Archbishop Louis Sako and his staff
are safe. Police say the terrorists were from Baghdad. Two have been killed and one
arrested. Officials say their target was a Turkmen member of parliament whose home
is near the Archbishop’s residence, further underscoring rising Sunni-Shia tensions
in the nation. Amadeo Lomonaco spoke to Archbishop Sako:
“A car passed with
three people inside, the driver and two passengers. In front of the archbishop’s residence,
there were gunshots. The guards responded. A woman also lives in the area, she’s a
member of the Iraqi parliament. Her bodyguard also responded to the fire. Two people
were killed, while the other was arrested. There was also a police car and three or
four policemen were injured. These two criminals were from Baghdad, and I think their
goal was not the archdiocese. We do not know for sure, but I believe the had the wrong
target”.
Q. - This fact unfortunately proves, once again, how serious and tragic
the situation is in Iraq ...
“ The archbishop's residence is located on a main
road where, among other things, there are many policemen and soldiers. These people
came from Baghdad and, therefore, were not sure where to go. They found themselves
facing our security guards and fired, without knowing who they were shooting at. It
'also true that the situation is a bit' tense, and there is no order or control in
the country. We, however, were not afraid, at least not immediately. At the time I
was on my way back from a visit to a parish. I immediately ran to the scene of the
shooting to comfort and encourage the guards and other people present. We are not
afraid. Today, the Eucharistic celebration in the afternoon will be a Mass of thanksgiving”.
Listen: