Al-Rahi from Iraq Criticizes Efforts to “Weaken” Christians in the East

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi criticized on Monday those who are seeking to “impoverish” Christians in the East, saying that the martyrs in Iraq are pledging for the help of the officials to safeguard stability and peace.

“Those who were martyred were a sacrifice for our beloved Iraq to implement peace, justice and stability,” al-Rahi said in a mass on the first anniversary of the attack on Our Lady of Salvation church in Baghdad.

The mass was headed by Syriac Catholic Patriarch Ignatius Joseph III Younan.

Al-Rahi headed to Iraq on Monday on a two-day pastoral visit that will include talks with Iraqi officials.

He is expected to meet on Tuesday with Iraqi Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi.

The patriarch returned Sunday to Beirut from Italy where he attended a council with world religious leaders in Assisi.

Militants had stormed the the Syriac Catholic church, killing 44 worshippers, two priests and seven security force personnel in an attack claimed by al-Qaida's local affiliate, the Islamic State of Iraq.

Al-Rahi said earlier this week that he will discuss with Iraqi officials the fate of Christians there.

The Council of Maronite Bishops postponed its monthly meeting from Wednesday to Thursday over al-Rahi’s visit to Iraq.