MOSUL, Iraq (ACN News): A leading bishop in Iraq has spoken out against the Government and security services for failing to protect Christians under threat from militants hell-bent on flushing them out of the country.
Archbishop Georges Casmoussa of Mosul spoke of possible collusion between anti-Christian terrorists and fringe political parties and criticised the authorities, saying they were “too busy holding meetings” to ensure the safety of minority groups.
In his interview with Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need, which supports persecuted and other suffering Christians, the Syrian Catholic prelate said a failure of Iraq’s army, police and Government to “co-ordinate” meant they were “opening the door to terrorists”.
The archbishop, who has called for United Nations intervention to protect Christians, was speaking after going to hospital to visit some of the 163 people – most of them youngsters – injured in a bomb blast which targeted a convoy of buses packed with Christian students.
One male student died instantly and two female students were reported to be in a critical condition following the attack which happened on May 2 on the edge of Mosul, in the north of the country.
Describing how one student had had a leg amputated and another had suffered a serious eye injury, Archbishop Casmoussa said three students were in a critical condition and that plans were underway to transfer 15 people to hospital in Turkey.
The violence is the latest in a series of anti-Christian attacks since 2004.
Amid reports that the May 2 explosions happened between two checkpoints, Archbishop Casmoussa blamed the authorities for failing to clamp down on terrorists.
“We feel angry about what happened – and we are full of sadness for those who have suffered so much,” he said.
“We feel there is no central power here. The authorities are too busy holding meetings and not enough is being done.
“The army is not close to the Government, the Government is not close with the police.
“You have people who are responsible but they are not co-ordinated in their actions and this opens the door to terrorists.”
Speaking of possible collusion between some political parties and criminals, he said: “Some politicians are involved in the actions of terrorists and sometimes murders take place in the name of political parties.”
He criticised the Government for failing to bring terrorists to justice saying: “We hear that people who have killed Christians are in prison but legal judgements are not being brought against them.
“We call on the central Government to find those responsible, to judge them and to try them according to international law.
“This judgement must be open and known by the people. We ask the UN – and the United States, who are masters of the situation – to help the minorities, especially Christians.”
