Germany: appeal for Christians in Iraq”Save the Christians in Iraq”: this is the title of the appeal issued in Munich on March 28 by the Catholic Caldean mission in Bavaria, to sensitize the public opinion on Christians’ persecutions in Iraq. “Since the beginning of Iraq’s invasion by the U.S., Christians and their churches have been exposed to terrorist attacks often becoming the victims of atrocities”, is stated in the appeal. “After the kidnapping of the archbishop of Mosul, Paulus Faraj Raho, found dead on March 13, the spiral of terror perpetrated by Islamic radicals reached a very dangerous peak. Until now three Caldean priests have been murdered, while eight were kidnapped. In this last period we have been witnessing a campaign based on religious and ethnic cleansing against Iraqi Christians who view themselves as the first inhabitants of Mesopotamia”, the document continues. The appeal also refers to the destruction of churches: “over 16 were burnt down”. Furthermore, “crosses are removed from bell-towers”, Christians are expected to pay protection taxes for non-Muslims and compelled “to convert to Islam or leave the Country”. “Iraqi Christians, along with their Churches and monasteries, are more than ever at risk.” Observers have said that Christians are intentionally persecuted since they are considered a menace to the Country’s Muslim identity or because they are suspected of supporting the U.S.. Bavaria’s Catholic Church, in line with the Pope’s appeals, recalled the Country’s tragic situation. In Bavaria live some 5000 Caldean Christians: they have their own pastoral office run by a Caldean priest. Turkey: Pauline Celebrations programA national pilgrimage of Catholics in Turkey and Tarsus followed by ecumenical celebrations, and group visits from a number of Italian and European dioceses. The program of Turkey’s celebrations for the Pauline Year is gradually taking its final shape (June 28 2008 – June 29 2009). It’s available on the website purposely prepared by Turkey’s Bishops Conference annopaolinoatarso.org. “This year’s commitment will be to know the Apostle Paul of whom we have the privilege of being compatriots”, explained the president of Turkey’s Bishops Msgr. Luigi Padovese, who in March had anticipated to Sir a series of appointments. One of these is the event held next June 21, when the national pilgrimage of Turkey’s Catholics will take place in Tarsus. The initiative is being held the day before the official ecumenical opening of Turkey’s Bishops Conference to the presence of Cardinal Walter Kasper, of the Catholic Bishops Conference, of Christians of other denominations and civil authorities. The program was enriched with more initiatives: On June 29 an ecumenical celebration will be held in Antiochia in Saint Peter’s Grotto, on August 24 a Mass will be celebrated in Tarsus with 80 deacons from Cidam (International deaconate Centre in the Mediterranean Area), on September 9 celebrations will be held in Tarsus with the students of Rome’s Pontifical Gregorian University, on October 2 Germany’s Bishops Conference planned a pilgrimage to Tarsus, while March 6 2009 the Presidents of South-East Europe Bishops Conferences will be in Saint Paul’s home town. Ireland: Dublin, “land of mission”The archdiocese of Dublin as a land of mission since “many of those who have been baptized as Christians no longer know Jesus today, or else they display a lifestyle whereby Jesus is only at the margin”, claimed Msgr. Diarmuid Martin. The archbishop of Dublin and Primate of Ireland these days announced a campaign to reach out to ‘distant’ Catholics, those who longer go to Church. Similar initiatives have been implemented already in parishes throughout England. However, this is the first time that such an extensive program is developed by Ireland’s Catholic Church and promoted by its archbishop. According to the program, a Church representative will visit each home of Dublin’s diocese before the end of next year. “Today the archdiocese of Dublin is a land of mission”, said Msgr. Martin. “A few years ago such a statement would have been viewed as exaggerated, but today many of those who are baptized really don’t know Jesus.” The program, already implemented in European capital cities, will explore all aspects of diocesan life. The archbishop of Dublin also celebrated the success of parish evangelical counsel. “The idea of giving life to parish evangelical counsel in every parish of the diocese went beyond my own expectations”, he said. “I wish to thank all those who work to ensure these are considered not only administrative bodies but also real evangelization tools. Before the end of the summer I intend to set up a diocesan Pastoral Council.”
