Chaldean patriarch warns surge in Iraqi violence will divide country

The patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church in Baghdad denounced a recent series of car bombings and shootings in Iraqi cities that left at least 54 people dead and dozens more injured, reports the Catholic News Service.

Patriarch Louis Sako, told Catholic News Service in an email yesterday that the current violence is between minority Sunni and majority Shiite Muslims, who also run the Iraqi government. Christians are not being directly targeted, he said.

“But they are afraid and their exodus continues nevertheless,” Patriarch Sako said of Iraq’s Christian population.

“The morale of Christians in the area is down,” the patriarch said.

Iraq has witnessed the emigration of more than half of its native Christians since the American-led invasion of the country in 2003.

Attacks have escalated in recent months, with some of the worst violence occurring May 20 in Baghdad, where nine explosions rocked bus stations and markets in mainly Shiite areas. Police said nearly 200 people were injured. Eight Iranian pilgrims were identified among the dead, the BBC reported.

FULL STORY Chaldean patriarch warns surge in Iraqi violence will divide country (CNS)
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