The Chaldean Patriarch of Baghdad, Louis Raphael I, says he is concerned. He is not convinced about certain consequences of Europe's new policy on refugees fleeing Syria and other conflict zones.

Many sister churches in Europe have been involved in this call to action. He was keen to share his perplexity and concern with other pastors of Eastern Churches.

What is your view on the international community's recent actions with regard to the Middle East? Is something moving at last?
"Last Friday, I met all heads of Churches in Baghdad at the Chaldean Cathedral, along with a number of nuns and priests.

"We are asking ourselves how this can be happening now after four years of war in Syria and 12 conflicts and massacres in Iraq. After the situation was allowed to deteriorate for so long. I am worried."

Are you referring to the refugee situation? Are you concerned about who opens the doors or closes them?
"This question cannot be dealt with in a sentimental or superficial way. What is required here is discernment. The only lasting solutions are those which can be implemented on the ground.

"These kinds of solutions need time and patience in getting processes going and guiding them. But this does not seem to interest national leaders and international organisations. They prefer to let the public's emotions influence their actions." Continue reading

Sources

• Vassallomalta
• Image: acnuk

One year ago, in the worst violence against Assyrians since the liberation of Iraq, Al-Qaeda terrorists attacked Iraqui Christians at Our Lady of Deliverance Chaldean Catholic Church in Baghdad during a Sunday evening church service, killing 58 parishioners, including two priests.

Commemorating the massacre, the news agency warned that "for Assyrians in Iraq, the scheduled departure of U.S. forces at the end of December 2011 is of great concern."

"Without the U.S. presence as a deterrent, Assyrians face the danger of unchecked Islamic persecution."

"The Shiite Maliki government is under the influence of Iran and the Shiites have not been friendly to Assyrians in Iraq, as they have engaged in the persecution and killing of Assyrians since 2004," the agency continued.

It warns that "for the United States and Europe, the lesson of the Black Sunday massacre should be clear: the Islamists are transnational, for them there are no nations, only the umma (the Islamic nation) ruled by Sharia. In Sharia there is no separation between mosque and state - the mosque is the state. Western governments must craft their foreign policy with this in mind, and develop policies to pressure Islamic governments to ensure that Christians and other non-Muslims are protected from the discriminatory laws and practices prescribed by Sharia."

Sources

• Assyrian International News Agency
• Image: Christian Science Monitor