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| Persecution of Christians in Iraq |
(Rome) This weekend the journalist Antonio Socci criticized Pope Franci's silence last week in a comment about the suffering Christians in the Middle East in the face of martyrdom. Two years of civil war in Syria have hardly mobilized the West, in spite of persecution, expulsion and murder of Christians. In Iraq, the same scenario. There is (perhaps) something which begins to stir. More since there is, in contrast to Syria and petroleum, much oil. The "Western" interests are aligned differently there.
There was no shortage of criticism of Socci's criticism. Some Catholics thought they were disrespectful. The usual empty phrases with the word "hate" wasn't lacking. Socci, Director of the College of Journalism in Perugia has held back since the election of Pope Francis until what was for him the last straw in connection with the suffering of Christians in Iraq. Also Katholisches.info was criticized for publishing Soccis comment. "Finally," Pope Francis has now responded, sent a special envoy to Iraq and called together the nuncios of the Middle East.
"A little late" is not only what Socci thinks, who was not subdued because of the criticism, but vindicated. "Compared to the drama of the persecuted Christians, it seems some secularists, even an anti-clerical government like that of France, almost sensitive to react when the Catholic world and the Church line", Chiesa e Postconcilio . Pope Francis and his court have so far reacted to the victims with little sensitivity and are even a bit annoyed as they brush off the executioner with kid gloves. Here is Socci's comment in the daily Libero of 10 August.
Late, Tepid Response - The Walbert Bühlmann Today
The attitude is reminiscent of that unspeakable Swiss Capuchin and Marxist liberation theologian, Father Walbert Bühlmann (1916-2007), who made propaganda for Marxist ruled Third World dictatorships in Europe. The persecution of the Church and Christians by these regimes, he ignored. If he was forced to take a position on this contradiction, he said cynically: The persecuted Christians were to blame, because the're surely "reactionary" Christians, because the "true" Christians were on the side of progress and revolution. How Father Bühlmann responded to Marxists then, is today represented by other Church officials toward Islam?
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"Someone in the Vatican Would Have Reason to be Ashamed before God and Man"
by Antonio Socci
Meanwhile, in Iraq alone, there are more than 200,000 Christians on the run. Driven by Islamist militias, who have crucified, beheaded, stoned, executed and raped their enemies and enslave their women. The West seems to care more for the other minorities oppressed by the jihadists such as the Yezidis. The anti-Christ reflex is set so deeply in the state offices of some countries and especially the editors of many media that have not even Christian victims have validity. Even now the reports from Iraq, even from bishops, about Islamist crimes against women and children are hardly played at all. It remains to be seen whether these atrocities are confirmed. The Christians are hunted and killed as lawless "Nazarenes". The churches are burned or converted into Islamist bases. But the voice of the Vatican, the Pope, who is not otherwise taciturn, was previously only a barely intelligible whisper.
No "Shame! Shame!"- Outcry Like on Lampedusa
Not a trace of that plangent, when five or six times in all microphones he cried "Vergogna!" "Shame," "shame" because of the immigrants on the Mediterranean island of Lampedusa. These who actually don't belong on the Island, nor in Italy, nor anywhere else in Europe would have given any reason to be ashamed. The immigrants were received with great expense with open arms. They leave the water and they go out of their own free will. The Christians in Iraq want to live in their homes and are sold against their will. The small difference disappears rapidly. A certain media, cultural and political landscape in the EU was thrilled by the papal Lampedusa denunciation. It was grist to the mill. The same circles at best turn up their nose now at the murdered Christians in Syria, Iraq and elsewhere in the Middle East. For Christians, not a finger was stirred.
Pope Remains Silent and Lets Vatican Spokesman Lombardi Talk
Giuliano Ferrara, the editor of the daily newspaper Il Foglio wrote that the disaster for Christians in the Nineveh plain was not worth more than a simple explanation in the Vatican ultimately was charged with culpable delay. In addition this statement was only in the name of the Pope by the Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi, who plays no role in the official hierarchy. Form and content suggest that the highest ecclesiastical hierarchy in this thing only does the absolute bare minimum, which they can not escape, i.e., the minimum in order not to lose face, says Ferrara.
The Pope's statement speaks only of a "humanitarian drama". What is happening in Iraq is but far more. In addition, the statement says nothing about what should be done about it, as Ferrara remarked, "Nothing is said in the rather cold explanation, about who 'are the persons responsible for these painful events. Not a single reference to the perpetrators and to the reasons why Christians have to flee from their homes and cities."
Where is the Clarity of the Regensburg Speech of Benedict XVI.?
The use of Pope John Paul II. on behalf of persecuted Christians seems to be over and forgotten. A fortiori, the clarity of the historic Regensburg speech by Pope Benedict XVI. with which he extended a hand to Islam shook hands to implore them to reconsider Islam self-critically.
The same pontificate is characterized by a disturbing reluctance to engage with the bloodthirsty criminals, with whom - say the bishops in Iraq and Syria - such a dialogue is impossible, because the Islamists declare themselves that they have "only the sword" for Christians.
A restraint that has become a habit in the behavior of Pope Bergoglio, who won't say a single word in defense of the Christian Mothers, who are sentenced to death in Muslim countries because of their faith, as was the case for Meriam in Sudan and is still the case for Asia Bibi in Pakistan. More than that, he refuses to publicly pray for them which is what he was specifically requested to do. And if he is compelled, he refrains from saying something to the persecuted Christians, he remains vague and general, such as in an interview with Catalan daily La Vanguardia on 13 June: "The persecuted Christians are a concern to me as a shepherd in close contact. I know many things about the persecution, which to speak of is not wise, so as not to offend anyone. "
Pope Wants not to "Offend" Islamist Executioner?
Insult whom? The bloodthirsty executioner of Jihad, who crucify Christians as "enemies of Islam", shoot, burn alive or behead? How is that not disturbing? Tens of thousands of Christians, men, women, children, the elderly are at risk of life and limb and Bergoglio is concerned, "not to offend" the executioner?
What is all this consideration against the fanatical Islamists? Why does he not even dares to call them by name? And why does he call on the international community to prepare an end to the "humanitarian tragedy" without saying even begin to like?
Pope Bergoglio had only modeled to follow John Paul II., The energetically raised his voice and called for clear, what to do. That the politicians did not follow him, is another story written and even rudimentarily saying how?
The bishops of Iraq are of the opinion that there seems to be no alternative to a targeted military strike now. This is what Bashar Matti Warda, the Archbishop of Arbil, has said who is in the forefront. Pope John Paul II. also supported this way, if endangered innocent lives could be saved.
Blame Those Who Talk Nicely Islam in the West
It is also convenient to certain Catholics to raise generalized accusations of inaction against the West, while for years the same circles avoid any criticism of the Islamists, and especially avoid calling the jihadists by name. The Dark Side of Islam is denied, covered up, played down in an interplay of certain media, certain politicians, certain cultural workers and certain parts of the Christian communities, not only the Catholic Church but also of Protestant state churches. They will never tire of playing with apodictic tone, always same record that everything, that is negative, is "not the true Islam." How precisely should they so accurately know the "true Islam" is somehow never explained. Thus the confluence of influential circles and an aversion to Christianity with a courting of Islam is a dangerous mixture. The Christians in the Middle East get to feel the consequences. Today, the Christians in Iraq, Syria, Libya and Egypt. And tomorrow?
But Pope Bergoglio did not even call for a humanitarian relief operation or a solidarity initiative at the international level, at least appealed to the greater Catholic world. The late mobilization of diplomacy, which should have been active at first in the background, is yet another chapter little pleasing.
On the Sunday before, the Pope said no word to the persecuted Christians at the Angelus. A few days later he made the present declaration through his spokesman. Strictly speaking, the Pope is silent. Why are certain topics and keywords so difficult for his lips? No word yet on the days of prayer for the persecuted Christians, initiated by Episcopal Conferences, dioceses and religious communities. Does the Pope also believe that to pray for the persecuted Christians is "offensive" to Muslims?
Hymns to "Jihad" from the Vatican Gardens
The Days of Prayer are a serious matter. They will also never recall the Imam, at the prayer of the peace with Shimon Peres and Abu Mazen those Quranic verses recited at the invitation of Pope Francis on June 8th, with which he implored Allah for "victory over those who disbelieve." In fact, a hymn was sung on "Holy War" from the gardens of the Vatican. In fact, an unprecedented "accident" for which there are managers. One especially.
There have been several prayers throughout the world already. That of the Italian Bishops' Conference will be held on 15 August. At present, not a few Catholics await. that the Pope is sooner or later will follow these initiatives.
Reversion of the Church to an Ideological Subaltnern in the 70s?
As a Catholic Church leader, the Pope would have the ability to call the Christian to pray and also to aid efforts and to show solidarity with the persecuted brothers and sisters.
As it seems so far there is nothing of the like in the air from the Vatican. Rather, it seems that the Vatican is reverting to the dark desolation of the 70s, in which it was an ideological Subaltern position for Christians which would only be broken with the papacy of John Paul II., and overcome.
Introduction / Translation: Giuseppe Nardi
image: Chiesa e Postconcilio
Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com
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