The need to contribute financially to their families’ is turning students, even very young ones, into cross-border porters, a trend that is growing, especially in western Iran. Increasingly, many are also victims of accidents or shot by Pasdaran.
With the killing of Archbishop Rahho, the Sunni stronghold confirms its place as the most dangerous area for the Christian community. According to an autopsy, the bishop has been dead for five days. In 2007 alone, 47 Christians were killed in Iraq.
US and Iraqi forces involved in the area stress that both security and a political solution are needed. The city is considered al-Qaeda’s last urban stronghold. Terrorism affects every area of the city, drawing support among residents tired of inhuman living conditions, playing on the city’s ethnic and religious cleavages. The situation raises concerns about the fate of Bishop Rahho who was abducted on 29 February.
The appeal was launched by the Archbishop of Kirkuk, 12 days on from Msgr. Rahoo’s abduction. To the Bishops and Christians of the world: “do not remain indifferent to this suffering, do not leave us alone to face this trial”. Amid increased fears, today in Kirkuk 15 Muslim leaders ask once again that the prelate be released.
A week since Mgr Rahho was abducted no assurance on his health has been given. In the latest phone contact made last night kidnappers did not allow mediators to talk with the prelate. A Via Crucis around Kirkuk cathedral will be conducted today for his release.
A telephone call is expected this evening, in which the mediators will demand to "hear the voice" of Archbishop Rahho. Concern is increasing, and a U.S. commander advances the theory that terrorism may be behind the kidnapping. Masses and prayers in Rome and Damascus for the "three martyrs" and for the safety of the prelate.
Visit by Iraqi leader comes a week after Turkey ends incursion into Iraqi Kurdistan. The issue is expected to dominate talks between the two countries. Meanwhile economic and trade ties are growing.
Yesterday evening, another telephone call, increasing the ransom and dictating conditions which “complicate the case”. Still no guarantees on the “wellbeing” of the bishop, abducted on February 29th. These latest developments raise fears that these are no ordinary criminals interested solely in money. Iraq’s premier sends a message to the Chaldean Patriarch.
Press agrees that military withdrawal is tied to US pressures for an end to the operation. Turkish president confirms it was a “national” decision.
No contacts with Mgr Faraj Rahho’s kidnappers. In Mosul people are still convinced he is alive despite the lack of any evidence. In Kirkuk a representative of al-Sadr’s Shia movement raises a banner that says that “Such actions are bad for Iraq.” The Chaldean community makes a “pained appeal.”
Appeals from Benedict XVI, who at the Angelus expresses sadness over the kidnapping of Archbishop Rahho, and calls for the continuation of efforts to give a future to Iraq. Of the Israelis and Palestinians, he asks for an end to the spiral of violence: only by demonstrating respect for human life can the land of Jesus have peace.
The funerals were held this morning for the driver and two bodyguards. The same city also holds the tomb of Fr Ragheed, killed last year in the area where Archbishop Rahho was kidnapped yesterday. Sources in Iraq speak of "signs that leave hope that he may be alive". The appeal of the pope and the apprehension of the faithful and the patriarchate: the bishop is sick and needs his medicines.
Mgr Faraj Raho had just finished celebrating the Via Crucis. The three people in a car with him were killed.
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