US bishops find Iraqi Christians want return to peace, meaningful jobs
(October 14, 2011) Iraqis want a return to peace, security and stability and the
chance to secure meaningful employment, said two U.S. bishops who travelled to Baghdad
in a demonstration of the American Catholic Church's solidarity with the country's
violence-weary Christians. Bishops Gerald Kicanas of Tucson and George Murry of Youngstown
visited Iraq Oct. 2-5 at the invitation of the coutnry’s bishops. They found Iraqi
Christians confronting immense daily challenges while facing the threat of violence
because of their faith. Iraqis repeatedly stressed the need for security and urged
the prelates to share their story with the American church and government officials.
The status of struggling Christians in Iraq was among the topics explored in meetings
with Archbishop Giorgio Lingua, apostolic nuncio to Iraq and Jordan, Cardinal Emmanuel
Delly, head of the Chaldean Catholic Church, Chaldean Auxiliary Bishop Shlemon Warduni
and other Iraqi bishops. Bishop Kicanas and Bishop Murry said church leaders are
particularly concerned about the future of young Christians who strive to leave the
country because they see no future in remaining.