Christians in Iraq

A troubling article from Time:

Between 10,000 and 30,000 of Iraq’s 800,000 Christians have fled the country since the fall of Saddam Hussein’s regime, according to Christian groups in Baghdad. Although Christians make up only about 3% of Iraq’s 25 million people, the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees has said they account for about 20% of the refugees fleeing Iraq for Syria. They are escaping a climate of violence and a surging Islamic radicalism that have made the practice of their faith a deadly enterprise. …



The violence in Iraq threatens one of the world’s oldest Christian communities, dating back 2,000 years. The population includes Chaldean Assyrians (Eastern-rite Catholics who recognize the Pope’s authority); Assyrians, who form an independent church; Syrian Catholics; and Armenian Catholics. Under Saddam, Christians coexisted more or less amicably with the Muslim majority. Easter services were broadcast on state television, and Christians were allowed to own and operate liquor stores. …



Many Iraqi Christians say their reversal of fortune has been especially disappointing given the backing the Bush Administration receives from evangelical Christians. “Why did the U.S. come here?” asks Mardirosian, the Armenian-Catholic leader. “To protect the Christians or allow others to kill them?”



(via Amy Welborn)