The Assyrian Democratic Organization
By Andrea Ledding
SASKATOON, Canada – Canadian Catholic News — — Canada needs to do more for all Iraqi people, including the Christian Iraqi population, which is experiencing heavy persecution. That was the message as local Iraqi Christians gathered to hold a prayer service and press conference June 13 here.
Prayers of remembrance were said for those who have died in Iraq, particularly Father Ragheed Ganni, the pastor of Holy Spirit Parish in Mosul, and three deacons. The four men were shot after Sunday Mass June 3. Other priests are being kidnapped and ransomed. At least seven priests have been abducted recently, the Saskatoon gathering heard.
Christians have become a target for many of the factions fighting against the American occupation. Speakers asked the Canadian government and the international community to urge the Iraqi and coalition government to help all people in general, and Christians in particular, who are being told to convert to Islam or leave their homes. Many are fleeing for this reason or for other safety issues.
Some 4.4 million Iraqis are displaced: two million within the country, and 2.2 million in the surrounding areas. Countries such as Syria do not have the infrastructure to handle such an influx of refugees and the situation is growing worse as 40,000 to 50,000 people are displaced each month, without food, healthcare, or shelter; some 30,000 are arriving monthly in Syria. It is estimated that at least 40 per cent of these are persecuted Christians.
“It is not just Chaldean Catholics, but Orthodox and evangelicals that are being targeted,” noted Father Noel Hermiz, pastor of the Sacred Heart Chaldean Catholic in Saskatoon, who also serves in Calgary as well. Father Hermiz addressed the gathering in both English and French.
Sponsorship has been difficult, he said, adding that there wasn’t anyone in his parish who hadn’t tried to sponsor family members and been turned down by Canadian immigration authorities. “We ask the Canadian government to do something to help protect innocent Iraqis,” he added. “Imagine the entire population of Alberta and Saskatchewan displaced.”
Helen Smith-McIntyre, a member of the Saskatoon Refugee Coalition and of Amnesty International, asked for help on the sponsorship front. “Our resources are being exhausted, and applicants are being turned away. The government and the community need to step up at every level,” she said.
After the press conference, Badrea and Yousif Hormis spoke about their family situation. Badrea’s brother is an archbishop in Iraq, and another brother died in a car accident leaving behind several children. “We tried to sponsor his family, and especially the children, but were turned down. There is a lot the Canadian government can do and aren’t doing,” said Badrea.
