Subscribe to our news RSS feed 
Aid to the Church in Need UK's Ipadio channel
For the latest from the UK office's project trips, events and pilgrimages
Tagged with
Related country profiles
IRAQ: Bishops' show of solidarity with blast victims
By John Pontifex
Christians in Mosul demonstrate about the bomb blast which targeted Christian students
The wounded survivors of a bus blast that targeted Christian students in Iraq have begged for action to bring their attackers to justice at an emotional meeting with their bishops.
The delegation of 300 students – many of them with wounds especially to the face – wept as they described the explosions on Sunday, 2nd May. The attack targetted 18 buses carrying 1,300 university students from the Christian town of Qaraqosh to the city of Mosul.
Latest reports say that in addition to the one man who died as many as 188 were injured – 24 seriously – with several of them now fighting for their lives. One is reported to be in a vegetative state.
In the meeting yesterday (Thursday, 6th May) with seven bishops, both Catholic and Orthodox, the students appealed for a public investigation into the attacks which took place between two checkpoints en route to Mosul, where they go to university.
In their discussion with the prelates, who included a Chaldean-rite bishop as well as others from the Armenian, Syrian Orthodox and Catholic Churches, the students went on to plead that a college be set up in Qaraqosh.
The plan is seen as crucial to help ensure the safety of students who until now have risked the continuing violence in Mosul.
The city has become a focal point for anti-Christian killings, abductions and other terrorist activity.
In a joint statement, the bishops added their own voice to calls for the government to open a university in Qaraqosh for up to 2,000 students in the area.
The bishops stressed the need to act quickly to ensure the students do not miss out on training and upcoming exams, especially during the remainder of this academic year.
The statement, issued after yesterday’s bishops’ meeting in Qaraqosh, also appeals for a new government to be formed, thereby ending the political impasse following an indecisive result in the 7th March general elections.
In their statement, the bishops say that the lack of government was being exploited by extremists and other terrorists.
Speaking after the meetings which he attended, Archbishop Louis Sako of Kirkuk said: “When we saw the students, we were very moved. They were so very shocked and felt discouraged.
“Many were injured – with bandages on their face and some over their eyes. There was crying and a lot of sadness.
“One student told us, it is a miracle that only one person is dead.”
The archbishop added: “They felt there was nobody able to speak up for them. It is our duty as Church leaders to be their voice, to protect them.
“The local Churches should come together and stand together and use their impact and resources to help people.”
Underlining the central message of the bishops’ statement, Archbishop Sako said: “Above all what we want to say is: Stop the attacks against innocent people.
“The people who have done this attack are not just trying to destroy the future of our Christian people but are trying to destroy the future of our whole country.”
He added: “We are urging that a new government be formed as soon as possible. A power vacuum can only bring more bad consequences for the country and its security.”
The statement goes on to call on Kurds and Arabs in Nineveh province, outside Mosul, to dialogue to find ways to work together and protect the people – especially the Christians.
The bishops also go on to thank the hospital staff and authorities both in Erbil, northern Iraq, where many of the injured were treated and also those involved in enabling the most seriously wounded to go to Turkey for more serious hospital care.
Archbishop Georges Casmoussa, the Syrian Catholic Archbishop of Mosul, now based in Qaraqosh, has led calls for UN intervention to step up protection of Christians.
However Archbishop Sako explained that the bishops involved in yesterday’s meetings have urged the local authorities to act directly to protect the citizens rather than have foreign involvement in internal Iraqi issues.