04/03/2005, 00.00
IRAQ - VATICAN
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From Heaven the Pope will continue to pray for Iraq, says the Bishop of Mosul

Mosul (AsiaNews) – Iraqi Christians are confident that John Paul II won't abandon them; even from Heaven he will pray for them and for Iraq. Mgr Paulos Faraj Rahho, Chaldean Bishop of Mosul, who just celebrated mass for children receiving their first communion in Karemless, a village just outside Mosul, is convinced of it.

"The Holy Father left this life for that of eternity," he said. "He is now in Heaven and we are certain that from there he will continue to pray for us and our country as he always did when he was alive".

When news of the Pope's passing arrived, the Bishop ordered every church in his diocese to toll the bell at 8 am today and offer masses in the Pontiff's memory. He, himself, celebrated one in the Holy Ghost Church, near the Bishop's residence.

The Bishop's secretary told AsiaNews that as soon as Mosul Christians heard about the Pope's worsening health they followed the event with great apprehension.

On March 31, Bishop Rahho was visiting Telkeef, a town outside Mosul, to celebrate the first communion of a group of children. At the end of the event, he asked the children to pray for the Pope.

Bishops in Mosul from every Christian denomination agreed that on the day of the funeral bells in every church will toll simultaneously to mourn the Pope.

The prelates also announced that at 4:30 pm on Friday, April 8, a Eucharistic celebration will be held in St George's Monastery in Mosul. Bishop Rahho and Mgr Georges Casmoussa, Siro-Catholic Archbishop of Mosul, will officiate the service together.

The Chaldean Bishop's residence was bombed on December 7, 2004. Except for one wall, the whole building collapsed; on that wall: a picture of John Paul II.

Archbishop Casmoussa was abducted by a group of unknown terrorists on January 17, 2005, two weeks before the Iraqi elections, but was released the following day.

Pope John Paul II always prayed for the "dear people of Iraq" hoping that the "time for peace and reconciliation" would soon come.

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