"We will celebrate the funeral service with a view to the Holy Week and Resurrection states the auxiliary bishop of Baghdad . We are sad and broken-hearted, but in this predicament we are comforted by the hope that comes to us from our faith. Our heart is also looking to the Christian community of Mosul that received the news of the loss of its pastor with great sorrow. We must not leave it alone". Mgr. Warduni sends one last thought to Chiara Lubich who died this morning at dawn: "a woman of faith and courage who taught us how to remain firm and strong in our faith". The funeral procession is going on at Karamles now with mgr. Rahho’s body being carried on the shoulders of at least ten men, while a crying crowd has gathered along all the streets. The bishops attending the ceremony include mgr. Quas Musa, the Syrian-Catholic bishop of Mosul, and mgr. Warduni himself. The funeral service will be broadcast live by the Christina satellite TV Ishtar. (dnr)
