AUSTRALIAN Catholic Bishops Conference president Archbishop Philip Wilson has expressed his deepest sympathy and condolences to the Chaldean Catholic community following the killing of the Archbishop of Mosul in Iraq.
Archbishop Paulos Faraj Rahho’s body was discovered in Mosul earlier this month, two weeks after he was abducted when gunmen attacked his car and killed his driver and two guards.
Archbishop Wilson said the killing was a heinous criminal act against a much respected leader of the minority Christian community in Iraq.
“On behalf of the Catholic bishops of Australia I send our heartfelt condolences to Archbishop Rahho’s family and to the Chaldean community both in Iraq and here in Australia,” Archbishop Wilson said.
“We join with Pope Benedict XVI in expressing the hope that this tragic event will reinforce the commitment of the international community to bring real and lasting peace to Iraq.”
Archbishop Wilson said he would send a personal message of condolence to Archbishop Gabriel Kassab, the Archbishop of Chaldean Catholics in Australia.
He invited the Catholic people of Australia to pray for the repose of Archbishop Rahho’s soul and to intensify their prayers for peace in Iraq, especially as the Church approaches Holy Week and Easter.
