A series of bomb and mortar attacks targeting Christians were carried out in the capital
city, Baghdad.
At least 5 people were killed and dozens of others injured in
the incidents, which come little more than a week after Islamic militants entered
the Catholic cathedral church of our Our Lady of Salvation, and slaughtered scores
of the faithful who were there.
The Apostolic Procurator for the Chaldean Church
in Rome, Msgr. Philip Najim says such violence is designed to terrorize the whole
population and drive the Christians out of the country. “[The terrorists] are, practically,
taking hope from the mind of the Iraqi population,” he said, “yes, this is against
the Christian people.” Naijim went on to say, “There is a persecution, [Christians]
are attacked because they are a minority in the country.”
He added, however,
that Christians are not the only victims of violence. “At the same time, [The terrorists]
are also attacking the Muslim people – so, the whole Iraqi community, the whole Iraqi
population, is targeted.”
Najim also said that the issue of violence in Iraq
is a threat to regional stability, and called on the international community to help
Iraq achieve peace and security.
Listen to Chris Altieri's interview with
Msgr. Najim: