This month sees the first anniversary of the bloody church siege in the Iraqi capital
that killed over 50 people and prompted dozens of Christian families to flee Baghdad.
But a year on from that deadly attack, what has changed for Iraq's dwindling Christian
minority and how do they see their future? To gain some insight into the hopes and
fears of the nation’s Christian community Susy Hodges spoke to an Iraqi priest from
Baghdad, Father Albert Zarezeer.
Father Zarazeer says for his fellow countrymen
"the first problem is the (lack of) security" and talks of how "many families left
Iraq" following the Baghdad Church siege. Asked whether Iraqi Catholics still attend
mass in the wake of last October's attack, Father Zarazeer says "they are scared and
frightened" but they still go to church.
He says many of those Christians
still living there would like to leave, especially the young, as "it's difficult in
Iraq now to build a good future" but he hopes those who leave "can return one day
to their country" although he admits "there is a risk for the future existence of
the Christian community" in view of the continuing emigration.
Listen to the
full interview by Susy Hodges with Father Albert Zarazeer: