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Christian Iraqi priest gunned down in Baghdad

Gunmen shot dead an Iraqi priest in a drive-by attack in central Baghdad on Saturday, police said, in the latest attack on Christians in the country, reports Jeremy Reynalds, correspondent for ASSIST News Service.

According to a story by Aws Qusay on the Reuters News Service, the priest, Adel Yousif, was gunned down near his home in central Baghdad.

Cardinal Emmanuel III Delly, leader of Iraq's largest Christian denomination, the Chaldean Catholics, told Reuters that Yousif was a member of the Syrian Orthodox church.

Reuters reported that Delly said Iraqi Christians were shocked by the slaying, which follows the kidnap and murder of the Chaldean Archbishop of Mosul and other attacks on Christians in recent months.

“We are praying and asking God for security in Iraq. What can we do?” Delly told Reuters. “How many people have been killed? Christians, Muslims, Sabaens, people who have dedicated themselves to serving this country but they are killed.”

He added, “We are ready to forgive the people who committed these crimes for the sake of the single family of Iraq.”

According to Reuters, Iraq's Christian minority has for the most part tried to avoid involvement in the sectarian violence that has killed tens of thousands of Iraqis since 2003.

However, Reuters said, churches and Christian clergy have been targeted, especially in Baghdad and the northern city of Mosul.

The Chaldean Archbishop of Mosul, Paulos Farraj Rahho, was kidnaped on Feb. 29 by gunmen who killed his driver and two guards. Reuters said the archbishop's body was found two weeks later despite appeals from Pope Benedictfor his freedom.

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[04/07/2008]

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