The Church in Iraq is with the Truth
Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako
The Church (as well as the government) must defend the truth, regardless of sacrifices to be made in reaching the right decision that matches common good. This feeling stems from God, from within, from an honest conscience, and from the principle of: “a right thought liberates while a wrong thought confines”.
According to the religious and political leaders the truth is a firm conviction, and a sense of responsibility. Therefore, sound decisions are made out of thinking and consultation, away from mutual interest mentality and compromised solutions.
Silence and ignorance of “right” may result in its falling temporarily, death of responsibility, loss of trust, and prevailing of chaos.
Currently in Iraq, the state is not as powerful as it should be, justice and equality are far from achievable, this situation allowed some people to take what is not theirs, and “mafias” to underestimate the laws and public money.
Ask the peaceful Christian inhabitants of the towns of Nineveh Plain about militias harassment and how they deprive their freedom. They submitted their complaint to the Prime Minister Al-Sodany during his visit to the town of Qaraqosh.
All the above is leading to the elimination of what is left of the Iraqi identity, its sovereignty, and its Christians.
Who is responsible for what we have been through? I would say that the responsibility is shared between the government and Iraqi people, without sharing this sense of responsibility, things won’t be back to normal. We should not get “used to” live with corruption and conciliation of mistakes no matter what would be the price.
The decision of His Excellency the President of Iraq is suspicious. How did he know that I had a decree? In my opinion, what comes up to the surface is one thing, and what is hidden is something else? The question could be: is there a deal between the President and whoever “used” him to withdraw my decree only (after ten years of issuing it), it means dropping a tradition that have been valid for 14 centuries. Moreover, we all know that Iraq has so many problem, has the Iraqi President solved all the problems and my decree was the last one he has to solve?
The power of darkness cannot choke the truth, nor remove hope from the hearts of the oppressed, lies must be revealed and injustice removed. Jesus Christ said: “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword” (Matthew 26/ 52).
The Chaldean Church is not alone, as the offenders thought. On the contrary, our hearts were “charged” with hope, when those who are close, as well as foreigners, rushed to show their solidarity and support to us. The “holiness” of truth is from the holiness of God. I believe God “will wipe every tear from their eyes [the oppressed]” (Revelation 21/ 4).
I confidently await relief and the Chaldean Church awaits restoring its dignity with prayers and hope.
I invite you all to pray these days for Iraq to regain its integrity, and for Iraqis to recover their confidence in their homeland, security, freedom and dignity.