It's a mixed outlook for Christians in Iraq as they celebrate the reopening of the Baghdad Cathedral, but face serious new threats from a radical Shiite Muslim leader. From the studio of an Egyptian TV station, an Iraqi Ayatollah issued a fatwa against the religious minority on the eve of Christmas: "Convert to Islam or die". But the strength of faith overcomes the fear of violence.
The fatwa against Christians in Iraq was issued by Shiite Ayatollah Ahmad Al Hassani Al Baghdadi on December 13 in an interview on Egyptian television. Labeling Christians as "polytheists" and "friends of the Zionists", Al Baghdadi stressed that they must choose "Islam or die", while "their women and girls can legitimately be considered as wives of Muslims". Al Baghdadi is known for his "jihadi" tendencies and for attacking Americans during their previous presence in the country. Today, he lives in Syria and supports the armed resistance.
Sources in Baghdad say it is "a very serious fatwa" but that it is "unlikely that people will be particularly upset". The state is aware of such extremist statements, but it is still possible that the fatwa could spread "panic in some parts of the capital" where there are now "very few" Christians left.
On December 15, Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, Prefect of the Congregation for Eastern Churches, led the rededication ceremony of the restored cathedral. The cathedral is now reopened for worship after an al Qaeda group carried out a massacre in the cathedral on October 31, 2010, killing 50 faithful and two priests.
During the homily, the cardinal recalled "the witness of many of our brothers and sisters" who "led by two young, heroic priests" forever united "their lives with Jesus Christ". He emphasized the "significant sacrifices" that have made it possible to reopen the cathedral and said that through consolation and hope "the Lord is encouraging the Christians of the East, especially those in Iraq, to communion and witness".
The Cardinal was in Iraq on a five-day visit that began on December 13. In addition to the inauguration of the cathedral, he attended a Christmas concert for the Year of Faith at the Armenian Cathedral in Baghdad and visited Kirkuk and Erbil in northern Iraq.
Source: AsiaNews
