“There is now clear evidence that this genocide includes assassinations of Church leaders; mass murders; torture; kidnapping for ransom in the Christian communities of Iraq and Syria; sexual enslavement and systematic rape of Christian girls and women; forcible conversions to Islam; destruction of churches, monasteries, cemeteries, and Christian artifacts; and theft of lands and wealth from Christian clergy and laity alike.”
“The world is watching as we abandon our commitments to American values. These actions ... lower our estimation in the eyes of the many peoples who want to know America as a defender of human rights and religious liberty”.
The report is “imbued with a love and concern for the entire human family” – Bishop John McAreavey.
In many places in the Middle East multi-religious communities were the norm, but increasingly they are becoming mono-religious environments.
“Today our witness to the distress of refugees should be a call to action.”
Bishops concerned that process of taking in refugees seems to have slipped onto the back-burner of Irish politics.
The crimes committed by ISIS include the rape of children, the killing by crucifixion of Christians and systematic violence against religious minorities.
Irish government urged to formally recognise genocide as criteria under the UN Convention have been met in Syria and Iraq: Aid to the Church in Need.
“So-called ISIS/Da’ish is committing genocide against Christians and Yazidis and other religious and ethnic minorities."
“The university is a message to those who want us thrown out of the circle of history. It means we are staying ...”
Campaigners will gather today in front of the Chaldean Church of St George in Baghdad to protest.
The Pope says he follows daily reports of the “enormous suffering endured by many people in the Middle East.”
On second day of Turkey visit, Pontiff prays with Grand Mufti at Blue Mosque and later prays with Ecumenical Patriarch and celebrates Mass for Catholic communities.
Faithful urged to walk to Mass on Sunday 31 August as a gesture of solidarity with persecuted Christians.
