The proliferation of religious cults further endangers the Christian minority, exposing it to the unfair charge of proselytism. This was directly reported by mgr. Shlemon Warduni, patriarchal vicar of Baghdad, who said to SIR he is "worried" about the phenomenon. "With the other Christian confessions that have been in Iraq a long time, we are committed to ecumenical dialogue explains mgr. Warduni . Since the fall of Saddam, instead, we have witnessed a proliferation of cults. They have money and transport, which they use to pick up children and young people, they offer them food and money. Most of them are of English and American descent. There are also some who baptise Christians for the second time". All this activity, he states, "exposes us to charges of proselytism from Islam, even if Muslims are well aware it’s not us. This phenomenon is more widespread in northern Iraq, where there is more freedom". As to the next Christmas festivities, the vicar remains with his feet well planted to the ground: "there’s no security, stability, there’s certainly been some progress in these areas, but a lot remains to be done, and people are scared. So, in Baghdad, Midnight Mass and the main Christmas liturgies will all be celebrated by day, while indoors, at home, the families will gather for the festivities to exchange cakes and give presents to their children".” “
