Earlier in the week, Barry Rubin was asking Christians around the world but especially in the West some pointed questions:
Christians in Iraq have been, and not for the first time, deliberately targeted in a major terrorist attack. Indeed, from Indonesia to Pakistan to Iraq, from the Gaza Strip to Egypt to Sudan to Nigeria, Christians are being assaulted, intimidated, and murdered by militant Muslims.
Yet virtually never do Christians in any of these countries-perhaps with some occasional exceptions in India--attack Muslims. In the West, there have been no armed terrorist attacks on Muslims or the deliberate killing of Muslims. There does not exist a single group advocating such behavior.
Have you seen any of this in the Western mass media? Have any Christian church groups-some of which find ample time to criticize Israel-even mentioned this systematic assault? Indeed, on the rare occasions that the emigration of Christians is mentioned, somehow it is blamed on Israel, as one American network news show did recently.
...Here's a very partial chronology of such attacks and for the situation in Egypt go here.
According to the Iraqi terrorists' statement, the church was a, "Dirty place of the infidel that Iraqi Christians have long used as a base to fight Islam." Increasingly, Islamists are making it clear that any presence of Christians in Muslim-majority countries is unacceptable, just as the existence of a Jewish state in the Middle East is unacceptable.
I just cannot understand how this factor and these attacks so often go unnoticed, and certainly unprotested. Isn't it time for Christians to try to help their persecuted brethren before they are wiped out--or at least forced to flee--altogether
I know that my priest mentioned the attacks this past Sunday and sarcastically wondered whether those of us in the pews were even aware given the short shrift these attacks are getting in the media.
Deacon Greg's homily this week covers the subject matter movingly:
Exactly two weeks ago, late on a Sunday afternoon, a young woman named Raghada al-Wafi ran to her local church, with some wonderful news to share with the priest who had married her: she was going to have a baby. She asked the priest for a blessing.
He was happy to give it.
It ended up being one of the last acts of his life.
Moments later, the priest, Raghada and her unborn child were slaughtered. They were among the Catholic faithful killed by terrorists at a Baghdad cathedral - Our Lady of Salvation -- on October 31st.
It was a horrific attack. Gunmen stormed into the church and accused the Christians of being infidels. Then they began randomly firing on them. Dozens of worshippers sought sanctuary in the church sacristy. But many more weren't as lucky. The siege lasted four hours. When it was over, more than 50 Iraqi Catholics had been killed, including two priests.
It was one of the deadliest attacks on Christians since the Iraq war began.
It wasn't the first. It won't be the last.
I'm frustrated by it all... wondering what I can do in my corner of the world... praying seems to be the gist of it and I shouldn't short-change that contribution as I know the power that lies in prayer...
Allison Salerno is pointing us to something that can also be done:
This morning, Maria Teresa Landi, friend of a friend, came up with an extraordinary idea: send letters of encouragement to the Christians of Baghdad, who are suffering horrible persecution and killings. They are the Church's modern-day martyrs.
By day's end, the Nuncio at the United Nations was offering his diplomatic pouch (direct mail). He proposed to have all letters and messages sent to him by Tuesday night in a package and he will send the package to the Nunciature in Iraq on Wednesday morning.
Please address your emails to the families to His Beatitude Emmanuel Delli, Patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church in Baghdad at tonuncio@gmail.com. He will print out the emails and put them in the pouch.
Are there not angels among us? Tere, who is active in the Communion and Liberation movement, is asking that her idea be distributed as widely as possible.
With that as inspiration, I've penned and sent the following:
I write a simple note to say that I'm thinking and praying for my brothers and sisters in Iraq, hoping that God's Holy Spirit will tangibly give evidence for God's presence in their circumstance and that they will understand how their faith and perseverance is a sign of hope to all who believe in the resurrection...
May God's strength be theirs, may His love be manifest in their midst and may they continue in the faith given us by our Lord Jesus Christ.
-Rick
My hope is that some of you will do the same and will share your note here.



Comments (27)
What? Get involved? Call ... (Below threshold)1. Posted by GarandFan | November 13, 2010 1:18 PM | Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
What? Get involved? Call out the hypocrites of the "Religion of Peace"? Ask them why they are not protesting these attacks as well?
1. Posted by GarandFan | November 13, 2010 1:18 PM |
Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
Posted on November 13, 2010 13:18
2. Posted by galoob | November 13, 2010 1:26 PM | Score: -13 (17 votes cast)
I'm frustrated by it all... wondering what I can do in my corner of the world... praying seems to be the gist of it
How about money? You could make a donation to the Chaldean Federation http://www.chaldeanfederation.org/
Or you could join the National Guard. Probably too late to go to Iraq, but you could go to Afghanistan . . .
As Bush said, "Bring 'em on."
The US invasion opened the door to the Islamofascists that the Baathist fascists kept out.
Now the Chaldean/Assyrian Christians in Iraq are paying the price for our breaking the secular Iraqi state and its takeover by Iran, along with the incursion by Al Qaeda types.
In addition, a lot of Iraqi Christians worked for the US as translators and other staffers. Like the Montagnards, they are now getting the US answer - "You fucked up - you trusted us!"
I suppose some of them will get visas and move to Chattanooga.
2. Posted by galoob | November 13, 2010 1:26 PM |
Score: -13 (17 votes cast)
Posted on November 13, 2010 13:26
3. Posted by GarandFan | November 13, 2010 1:39 PM | Score: 5 (5 votes cast)
#2 - Translation: "It's all Bush's fault!"
Those poor practitioners of "The Religion of Peace" can't help themselves. They were driven to it!
3. Posted by GarandFan | November 13, 2010 1:39 PM |
Score: 5 (5 votes cast)
Posted on November 13, 2010 13:39
4. Posted by galoob | November 13, 2010 1:45 PM | Score: -14 (16 votes cast)
As Colin Powell said, "we broke it, we own it."
4. Posted by galoob | November 13, 2010 1:45 PM |
Score: -14 (16 votes cast)
Posted on November 13, 2010 13:45
5. Posted by GarandFan | November 13, 2010 1:50 PM | Score: 2 (4 votes cast)
Rick:
Hundreds were ASSAULTED on October 30th at Macy's in New York by 650 members of the Philadelphia Choir...............
Shoppers were taken by surprise as all the opera members were disguised in normal street clothes and intermixed with the other shoppers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wp_RHnQ-jgU
5. Posted by GarandFan | November 13, 2010 1:50 PM |
Score: 2 (4 votes cast)
Posted on November 13, 2010 13:50
6. Posted by GarandFan | November 13, 2010 1:53 PM | Score: 6 (8 votes cast)
"As Colin Powell said, "we broke it, we own it.""
Here's a new sound bite from GarandFan:
"It's YOUR fucking country, YOU have to LIVE in it. It's about time YOU deal with YOUR own internal problems."
....also applicable to illegals from Mexico.....
6. Posted by GarandFan | November 13, 2010 1:53 PM |
Score: 6 (8 votes cast)
Posted on November 13, 2010 13:53
7. Posted by John F Not Kerry | November 13, 2010 2:25 PM | Score: 9 (9 votes cast)
I know the pastor of an evangelical church in Baghdad who sends his kids to school every day wondering if he will see them on this earth again. He has been faced with the business end of a firearm on several occasions, yet he continues to preach the Word boldly. It is not just Catholics that are persecuted, but all denominations and sects. I will pray that God will build His church, knowing that the gates (and allies) of Hell cannot stand against it. Muslims speak of martyrdom. They do not even know the half of it. What these radicals do not realize is that they are sending their murder victims straight into their Savior's awaiting arms, while they continue to die in their sin.
7. Posted by John F Not Kerry | November 13, 2010 2:25 PM |
Score: 9 (9 votes cast)
Posted on November 13, 2010 14:25
8. Posted by Stan2 | November 13, 2010 4:32 PM | Score: -11 (11 votes cast)
I'm curious if the Christian extremists who protested so vehemently against the Park51 project think there is a correlation between the hate they've expressed towards muslims and the recent backlash and terrorist acts against Christians in muslim countries?
8. Posted by Stan2 | November 13, 2010 4:32 PM |
Score: -11 (11 votes cast)
Posted on November 13, 2010 16:32
9. Posted by SER | November 13, 2010 4:47 PM | Score: 8 (8 votes cast)
Stan2,
Are you being sarcastic or obtuse? Terrorists acts have been going on against Christians in Muslim countries for centuries. Google "East Timor" for recent history. Muslims complain about the Crusades, but they had invaded Christian countries and forced those who lived there to convert, die, or live as second class citizens. I'd be surprised if the Muslims who murdered the 50 people in Iraq knew or even cared about Park51.
9. Posted by SER | November 13, 2010 4:47 PM |
Score: 8 (8 votes cast)
Posted on November 13, 2010 16:47
10. Posted by GarandFan | November 13, 2010 4:51 PM | Score: 6 (6 votes cast)
Stan2 - yeah, wasn't there something in the MSM about those "extremists" kicking in the doors of all the mosques and machine gunning the people inside so they wouldn't build near the WTC site?
Last I heard, Park51 ain't in Baghdad.
Irrelevant again.
10. Posted by GarandFan | November 13, 2010 4:51 PM |
Score: 6 (6 votes cast)
Posted on November 13, 2010 16:51
11. Posted by John F Not Kerry | November 13, 2010 5:04 PM | Score: 6 (6 votes cast)
Come on Stan. Aren't you even going to try?
11. Posted by John F Not Kerry | November 13, 2010 5:04 PM |
Score: 6 (6 votes cast)
Posted on November 13, 2010 17:04
12. Posted by jim m | November 13, 2010 5:10 PM | Score: 6 (6 votes cast)
Once again lefties like Stan2 equate someone who stands for ideals that are not of the left with murderous thugs and terrorists. I suppose it's because the lefties find independent thought and ideas to be as dangerous to their agenda as bombs and bullets.
Or perhaps it is because lefties like stan2 actually enjoy seeing the people they disagree with murdered. After all, we've seen plenty of examples in their media wishing death on conservatives.
Now stan2 declares that nonviolent protest in the US is just provocation for the murder of unrelated people overseas. It's all the same. Lefties think all conservatives deserve death for daring to hold an opinion and speak their minds.
12. Posted by jim m | November 13, 2010 5:10 PM |
Score: 6 (6 votes cast)
Posted on November 13, 2010 17:10
13. Posted by 914 | November 13, 2010 5:10 PM | Score: 6 (8 votes cast)
"I'm curious if the Christian extremists who protested so vehemently against the Park51 project think there is a correlation between the hate they've expressed towards muslims and the recent backlash and terrorist acts against Christians in muslim countries?"
Who cares shit for brains.
13. Posted by 914 | November 13, 2010 5:10 PM |
Score: 6 (8 votes cast)
Posted on November 13, 2010 17:10
14. Posted by gary gulrud | November 13, 2010 5:11 PM | Score: 6 (6 votes cast)
"virtually never do Christians in any of these countries-perhaps with some occasional exceptions in India--attack Muslims"
Huh, Christians in India aren't numerous enough to note. Think someone had a brain cramp.
Hindus, infidels, marked for death by Allah, are the appropriate referent.
14. Posted by gary gulrud | November 13, 2010 5:11 PM |
Score: 6 (6 votes cast)
Posted on November 13, 2010 17:11
15. Posted by galoob | November 13, 2010 5:38 PM | Score: -6 (6 votes cast)
Here's a new sound bite from GarandFan:
"It's YOUR fucking country, YOU have to LIVE in it. It's about time YOU deal with YOUR own internal problems."
Yeah, too bad we invaded your country and attracted all of these jihadis from all over in the "flypaper strategy." Now we're outta here, it sucks to be you.
....also applicable to illegals from Mexico.....
Lolll. Right, we did rip off half of your country, and love to hire you to pick our vegetables, but . . .
15. Posted by galoob | November 13, 2010 5:38 PM |
Score: -6 (6 votes cast)
Posted on November 13, 2010 17:38
16. Posted by Stan2 | November 13, 2010 6:27 PM | Score: -4 (6 votes cast)
"Or perhaps it is because lefties like stan2 actually enjoy seeing the people they disagree with murdered.
lol... that's cute, the way you opened your mouth and spewed bullshit. What are you - 12 years old?
"Now stan2 declares that nonviolent protest in the US is just provocation for the murder of unrelated people overseas."
Nope. You're dumber than a 12 year old.
What Stan2 asked, not declared, was if Christian extremists see a correlation.
I'm assuming that some on this blog can read and understand english - that may have been a leap of faith, but it's a simple question.
16. Posted by Stan2 | November 13, 2010 6:27 PM |
Score: -4 (6 votes cast)
Posted on November 13, 2010 18:27
17. Posted by Drago | November 13, 2010 6:43 PM | Score: 6 (6 votes cast)
stan2: "What Stan2 asked, not declared, was if Christian extremists see a correlation."
Who cares?
Is correlation equivalent to causation? (hint: it's not)
Equivalent stan2 observation: "the Earth has revolved at a standard rate every day that muslims murder Christians, or Budhists or Sikh's etc, which is clearly a correlation, ipso facto the Earth revolving causes muslims to murder!!!"
OMG !!1!!
17. Posted by Drago | November 13, 2010 6:43 PM |
Score: 6 (6 votes cast)
Posted on November 13, 2010 18:43
18. Posted by Drago | November 13, 2010 6:46 PM | Score: 5 (5 votes cast)
stan2: "I'm assuming that some on this blog can read and understand english - that may have been a leap of faith, but it's a simple question."
Uh, after reviewing some of stan2's missives, we can clearly NOT assume that everyone on this blog understands basic statistical and cause and effect concepts.
Alas.
18. Posted by Drago | November 13, 2010 6:46 PM |
Score: 5 (5 votes cast)
Posted on November 13, 2010 18:46
19. Posted by Drago | November 13, 2010 6:54 PM | Score: 7 (7 votes cast)
galoob: "Yeah, too bad we invaded your country and attracted all of these jihadis from all over in the "flypaper strategy." Now we're outta here, it sucks to be you.
and "Lolll. Right, we did rip off half of your country, and love to hire you to pick our vegetables, but . . . "
We simply are forced to ask galoob the following question: What is it like to see the world as a place where the only nation (and peoples) who are responsible for anything and everything is the United States of America.
Is no one else ever, ever, responsible for their actions in your eyes?
And if so, can you provide an example?
Here's a wrinkle though: Can you provide an example that doesn't cast any nation of the West or Western Civilization itself as the ultimate culprit?
For instance, it has been well established that the lovable little commie lug in Cuba, Fidel Castro, had lobotomies performed on homosexuals. And yet the left, which loooooooves castro has yet to truly voice whether or not they have a problem with that. Further, many folks in Hollywood loooooove him too.
Is Castro not responsible for that? Or is that Ike's/Kennedy's/Johnson's/Nixon's/Ford's/Carter's/Reagan's/Bush's/Clinton's/Bush's fault too?
(I purposely excluded obambi since he is clearly not responsible for anything, especially his previous votes, policies, proclamations, associations, etc)
19. Posted by Drago | November 13, 2010 6:54 PM |
Score: 7 (7 votes cast)
Posted on November 13, 2010 18:54
20. Posted by GarandFan | November 13, 2010 8:41 PM | Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
15. Posted by galoob
So by your progressive lights, we are still "responsible" for Germany and Japan?
Get a clue. Look in a book. Lots of them. Take a look at what we did to major German and Japanese cities. Now look at Iraq and Afghanistan.
20. Posted by GarandFan | November 13, 2010 8:41 PM |
Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
Posted on November 13, 2010 20:41
21. Posted by SCSIwuzzy | November 13, 2010 10:02 PM | Score: 8 (8 votes cast)
Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God and Savior of Man...
However, I don't recall time travel being one of the things his followers were promised explicitly or by implication. Because it would require time travel for non-violent protests of Park51 to be the cause of Muslim violence and bigotry towards Christians in majority Muslim nations...
And if the point is to draw a parallel between non-violent protest and murder... that's nearly as daft.
Stan2, you've out done galoob/bryanD in the f'ing moron category today. Stand down son, stand down.
21. Posted by SCSIwuzzy | November 13, 2010 10:02 PM |
Score: 8 (8 votes cast)
Posted on November 13, 2010 22:02
22. Posted by SER | November 14, 2010 10:44 AM | Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
SCSIwuzzy,
Please don't tell "Stan2" to "stand down." I come to this site to read the intellectual insights of our leftist friends in the comments - and their unintentional humor, of course. Besides if he "Stands down," then George Soros and Media Matters won't give him a paycheck and he will add to the unemployment rate.
22. Posted by SER | November 14, 2010 10:44 AM |
Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
Posted on November 14, 2010 10:44
23. Posted by John | November 14, 2010 10:53 AM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
I find it interesting that the left is so fast to defend muslims, it almost like they share the same beliefs:
1. Gays should be strung up
2. Women are the property of men
3. A raped women needs 3 male witness to refute the male rapist
4. Religion is the basis for all laws
5. Women that cheat should be stoned to death
6. Critized Islam face death
For all the blather about equal rights for gays, women, minorities, etc they sure do jump to attention whenever anyone right of Stalin complains about the actions of the religion of peace.
23. Posted by John | November 14, 2010 10:53 AM |
Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Posted on November 14, 2010 10:53
24. Posted by Stan2 | November 14, 2010 1:50 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
The Goo Goo Stupid runs strong on this blog. Even if the idiots understand the question they are still afraid to answer, but spew bullshit instead.
24. Posted by Stan2 | November 14, 2010 1:50 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on November 14, 2010 13:50
25. Posted by John | November 14, 2010 2:19 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Gee Wiz Stan you're are so smart goo goo stupid what a freaking unbelieveably convincing argument. I'm so sorry I completely misunderstood your point before.
How about this question is there anything too vile that you won't support it if the right opposes it?
25. Posted by John | November 14, 2010 2:19 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on November 14, 2010 14:19
26. Posted by Drago | November 14, 2010 3:00 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
stan2: "The Goo Goo Stupid runs strong on this blog."
Wow.
Powerful.
Insightful.
Persuasive.
Provacative.
Thought-inspiring.
Gee, I hope that last one didn't make my praise of stan2's powerful commentary seem "over the top".........
26. Posted by Drago | November 14, 2010 3:00 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on November 14, 2010 15:00
27. Posted by John | November 14, 2010 5:42 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Careful next you know Stan will pull out the ever powerful poopy head insult.
27. Posted by John | November 14, 2010 5:42 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on November 14, 2010 17:42