Holy Land Catholic leaders: Stop speaking of Christian persecution
April 04, 2014 - Repeated references to persecution of Christians, "usually referring
only to what Christians suffer at the hands of criminals claiming to be Muslims, plays
into the hands of extremists," said Catholic leaders in the Holy Land. "In the name
of truth, we must point out that Christians are not the only victims of this violence
and savagery. Secular Muslims, all those defined as 'heretic,' 'schismatic' or simply
‘nonconformist,' are being attacked and murdered in the prevailing chaos," said a
statement from the Assembly of Catholic Ordinaries in the Holy Land, posted on the
website of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem April 3. "In areas where Sunni extremists
dominate, Shiites are being slaughtered. In areas where Shiite extremists dominate,
Sunnis are being killed," the bishops said. "Yes, the Christians are at times targeted
precisely because they are Christians, having a different set of beliefs and unprotected.
However, they fall victim alongside many others who are suffering and dying in these
times of death and destruction. They are driven from their homes alongside many others
and together they become refugees, in total destitution." The bishops said the extremists,
"at home and abroad," hope to "sow prejudice and hatred, setting peoples and religions
against one another." (Source: CNS)