Showing posts with label Martyrdom. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Martyrdom. Show all posts

Friday, November 6, 2009

'Religion of Peace' Attempts to Exterminate Catholicism in the Middle East

What of those Christians in Iraq? Are there any left?

Pope Benedict XVI announced in September 2009 that there will be a Synod of Bishops in the Middle East to address the current crisis in the region. The eastern 'lung' of the Church is on a ventilator and most people in the world are turning a blind eye. Under the guise of political correctness, many world leaders, including Mr. Obama, are more concerned about avoiding 'hurt feelings' among the Muslim world, than the bodies of Christian martyrs piling up.

catholic dead iraq Pictures, Images and Photos

Below, an appeal from the Bishops and Priests in Iraq:

http://www.charityandjustice.org/images/mechristians/letter.jpg
(Click to enlarge)


What now? A new documentary has been produced by the Charity and Justice organization. Part one is available and here is a description of An Open Door:

The most important aspect of this documentary is to show Iraqi Catholics in their true light, conveying to the world that Catholics in the Middle East are neither terrorists nor refugees. They are people – individuals with a deep faith, rich heritage, and courage. Episode One covers health, with episodes on spirituality, education, contributions of Iraqi Catholics, and employment to follow.

For Catholics to to stay in Iraq, to thrive, and foster positive relations with their Muslim neighbors, and for those who have already migrated due to persecution or poverty to stay connected to their religion and roots, the global Catholic community must work together to provide the opportunities that will enable Iraqi Catholics to shed their refugee status, and become fully participating Iraqi citizens once again.

This will occur through the construction of Catholic schools and hospitals, and development of industry. This is something Iraqis long for and are ready to work for, and a gift for which Iraqi Catholics will be forever grateful to those who can help them.

View part one of An Open Door below:

Friday, March 14, 2008

+Archbishop Paulos Faraj Rahho Martyr




The kidnapping and subsequent death of Archbishop Rahho, a Chaldean Catholic, made it into the secular news though the reports varied. I overheard on one news network that the Archbishop was a Chaldean Christian, and then the reporter added that the Chaldeans acknowledge the Pope. Another report indicated simply that he was a Chaldean and I'm fairly certain that it means nothing to most Christians. Not necessarily his kidnapping and subsequent death (perhaps murder) but they do not understand the Rites within Catholicism.

This beloved and brave man was one of our own. He was a faithful servant within the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church; a shepherd to the Catholics who fear death and murder every single day. Are there any Christian fundamentalists worshiping or doing missionary work in Iraq? I ask honestly because of the comments I hear on behalf of certain fundamentalists at a site which will not be named that creating peace in the middle east is impossible. They clearly believe that the pope is part muslim if he wishes to engage in peaceful dialogue. He is somehow satan incarnate if he does not bash them over the heads with a King James Bible and instead asks them for peace? How can the Word of God be shared and how can you evangelize until there is silence and voices may be heard? For some reason I cannot picture Kirk Cameron approaching an Iraqi terrorist and asking him if he knows how to get to heaven...

Whether or not the terrorists killed the late Archbishop or not is irrelevant. He was kidnapped, those with him at the time were brutally murdered and their message to Christians living in the hostile middle east was clear: "You're next." Following a Christian burial today, we can be certain of one thing: this man is a Saint in heaven now, martyred along with so many others who continue to follow Christ and His Holy Church despite grave danger. Martyr is derived from the Greek 'martus' which means witness. Now we must ask ourselves and answer honestly from the very depth of our souls: Are we ready to be martyrs for Jesus Christ?