Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07VATICAN99
2007-06-21 19:21:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Vatican
Cable title:
IRAQ: CHRISTIANS FLEEING FORCED CONVERSIONS
how-toVZCZCXRO2296 PP RUEHBC RUEHDBU RUEHDE RUEHFL RUEHIHL RUEHKUK RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHSR DE RUEHROV #0099/01 1721921 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 211921Z JUN 07 FM AMEMBASSY VATICAN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0750 INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC RUEKJCS/CJCS WASHINGTON DC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD PRIORITY 0026 RUEHSM/AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM PRIORITY 0001 RUEHROV/AMEMBASSY VATICAN 0780
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 VATICAN 000099
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/WE LARREA; NEA/I, DRL/IRF
E.O. 12958: DECL: 6/21/2017
TAGS: PREL MOPS PGOV KIRF PHUM IZ SW VT
SUBJECT: IRAQ: CHRISTIANS FLEEING FORCED CONVERSIONS
REF: A. A. BAGHDAD 1975
B. B. VATICAN 0074
C. C. 06 VATICAN 00219
D. D. 04 VATICAN 00712
E. E. 03 VATICAN 5628
VATICAN 00000099 001.2 OF 003
CLASSIFIED BY: Christopher J. Sandrolini, Deputy Chief of
Mission, Embassy Vatican.
REASON: 1.4 (b),(d)
-------
Summary
-------
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 VATICAN 000099
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/WE LARREA; NEA/I, DRL/IRF
E.O. 12958: DECL: 6/21/2017
TAGS: PREL MOPS PGOV KIRF PHUM IZ SW VT
SUBJECT: IRAQ: CHRISTIANS FLEEING FORCED CONVERSIONS
REF: A. A. BAGHDAD 1975
B. B. VATICAN 0074
C. C. 06 VATICAN 00219
D. D. 04 VATICAN 00712
E. E. 03 VATICAN 5628
VATICAN 00000099 001.2 OF 003
CLASSIFIED BY: Christopher J. Sandrolini, Deputy Chief of
Mission, Embassy Vatican.
REASON: 1.4 (b),(d)
--------------
Summary
--------------
1. (C) Summary: Monsignor Philip Najim, Representative of the
Chaldean Catholic Church to the Holy See and the Chaldeans'
European representative, told us in a May meeting that
Christians were continuing to flee Iraq in large numbers due to
an active campaign of forced conversions to Islam and the
continued violence directed toward priests, nuns, and churches.
Chaldean Patriarch Emmanuel III Delly is now more favorably
disposed to the establishment of a Christian enclave in
Kurdistan as a last gasp attempt to keep the faithful in Iraq.
The Chaldean Church is also taking steps to establish an active
pastoral effort in countries such as Sweden where there is now a
large Iraqi Christian refugee population. Najim also asked the
USG to take steps to protect Christians in Iraq, stating that
the loss of Christianity in Iraq will be a loss for all.
Meanwhile, a Rome memorial service for slain Iraqi priest
Ragheed Ganni focused Holy See attention once again on the
threat to Christian communities in Iraq. End Summary.
--------------
Iraqi Chaldeans Fleeing Forced Conversions
--------------
2. (C) Monsignor Philip Najim, the Chaldean Catholic
Representative to the Holy See, told us in a May meeting that
the Chaldean Church in Iraq was slowly vanishing due to the
steady barrage of violence it faces on a daily basis. As
reported in reftels, the targeting of priests, nuns, and
churches by extremist and criminal elements in Iraq has
decimated the Chaldean Church and its faithful, leading to a
disproportionate outward migration flow of Christian refugees
from Iraq. (Note: UNHCR reports that while Iraqi Christians
comprise three percent of Iraq's population, they accounted for
as high as 40 percent of registered refugees fleeing Iraq early
on and now they make up closer to 20 percent of the total).
3. (C) Najim described how the Christians in Al Dorha and other
areas of Baghdad are targeted for forced conversion to Islam by
extremists who cruise neighborhoods announcing on megaphones
that Christians must convert or face death. In "more tolerant"
areas, said Najim, Christians are told that they must either
convert to Islam or pay the tax of "jizya." According to Najim,
most Christians with any financial wherewithal had already left
Iraq, and there are only about seventy-five Christian families
left in Al Dorha, an area that had been almost fifty percent
Christian as late as 2003.
-------------- --------------
Christian Autonomous Zone in Kurdistan "Better Than Nothing"
-------------- --------------
4. (C) Patriarch Delly is becoming more and more concerned
about the very existence of the Church in Iraq and is now
favorably disposed to the creation of an autonomous zone in
northern Iraq for Iraqi Christians, said Najim. The Minister of
VATICAN 00000099 002.2 OF 003
Finance for the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is funding
the construction of houses for Chaldeans fleeing Baghdad within
an existing Christian enclave in Kurdistan, he said. Najim
indicated the Patriarch has switched his stance on a Christian
autonomous zone in northern Iraq because "a Christian village in
Iraq is better than nothing at all."
--------------
Tending to the Faithful in Sweden
--------------
5. (C) Najim described how the Patriarch had recently
reassigned five priests to Sweden from their shuttered parishes
in Baghdad to look after recently-arrived Chaldean Christians
refugees in Sweden. The Church's biggest challenge is to
minister to those Chaldeans who have fled Iraq for countries
where there is no established Church presence, Najim explained.
"Our work in Sweden is an example of how we are attempting to
maintain contact with our faithful outside Iraq," he said.
6. (C) Najim estimated that Sweden had taken in over
twenty-five thousand Chaldeans during the last few years. "We
are very appreciative to the government of Sweden for accepting
our people," said Najim, "but we are also very concerned about
whether we will be able to tend to their needs in Sweden." He
described a GoS integration program for Iraqi refugees that ties
a monthly stipend for housing and food to attendance at Swedish
culture and language classes. Najim voiced concern that
Chaldeans would "lose their faith" as they assimilated into
Swedish society. He also mentioned concerns about an active
group of evangelical Muslims in Sweden targeting Iraqi
Christians for conversion.
--------------
Christians Play a Vital Role in Iraq
--------------
7. (C) Najim implored the USG to take whatever action was
possible to help preserve the Chaldean community in Iraq, noting
the vital role played by Christians in Iraqi society, and the
traditional tolerance of Christians in Iraq. He noted that
Christian schools, which were normally 20 percent Christian
students and 80 percent Muslim, were considered the best in Iraq
and successfully produced a very well educated professional
class that continues to contribute to Iraqi society. He added
that Jesuit-run Baghdad College had produced many of the most
capable leaders and professionals in Iraqi society (e.g. Ayad
Allawi, Ahmed Chalabi, Adel Abdul Mahdi, Laith Kubba, and Kanan
Makiya). Najim also pointed out that the Holy See depends on the
Chaldeans for any communications and dealing with the Orthodox
Churches in the Middle East. "If the Chaldean Church disappears
from Iraq, we will all lose," Najim concluded.
--------------
Memorial Service Highlights Christian Plight
--------------
8. (SBU) A June 7 memorial service for Chaldean priest Father
Ragheed Ganni, slain June 3 in Mosul, again focused Holy See
attention on the plight of Christians in Iraq. Father Ganni had
resided at the Pontifical Irish College while studying in Rome,
VATICAN 00000099 003.2 OF 003
and had a wide network of friends and colleagues. A packed
chapel at the Irish College included members of the Holy See
diplomatic corps, several cardinals, and officials from the
Vatican Curia (bureaucracy). Several media outlets were also on
hand reporting on the widespread grief of the congregation, and
the sense that Christians were under attack in Iraq - and
becoming an endangered species. Though we understand subsequent
reports indicate that Ganni's death may have been a car-jacking
gone bad rather than a targeted killing, the community has no
doubt that Ganni was killed for his faith. Some mentioned to us
previous threats that he had received from Islamists.
-------------- --------------
Pope Benedict Voices Concern for Iraqi Christians
-------------- --------------
9. (C) Pope Benedict XVI received Mar Dinkha IV, Patriarch of
the Assyrian Church of the East, in Rome June 21. The Pope
observed that "particularly in Iraq, the homeland of so many of
the Assyrian faithful, Christian families and communities are
feeling increased pressure from insecurity, aggression and a
sense of abandonment. Many of them see no other possibility
than to leave the country and to seek a new future abroad.
These difficulties are a source of great concern to me".
Patriarch Delly was also present at the Pope's June 21 audience
for the Aid Agencies of the Oriental Churches. The Pope
repeated his concern for Iraq and the Holy Land and called on
participants to ensure that their intervention in favor of the
suffering populations become more incisive. He also renewed his
condolences for the recent killing of priests in Iraq.
--------------
Comment
--------------
10. (C) We have heard and reported many times in the past on
concern from Najim and Vatican officials for the survival of the
Christian community in Iraq, but preoccupation here has reached
a new level. As presented by Najim, the Patriarch's change of
heart on the autonomous Christian zone in Kurdistan is an
indication of the desperation Chaldeans feel to do anything they
can to maintain a presence in Iraq. With both the Pope and
Secretary of State Bertone raising the issue with President Bush
SIPDIS
in their June 9 meeting, Najim is not alone in his concern.
ROONEY
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/WE LARREA; NEA/I, DRL/IRF
E.O. 12958: DECL: 6/21/2017
TAGS: PREL MOPS PGOV KIRF PHUM IZ SW VT
SUBJECT: IRAQ: CHRISTIANS FLEEING FORCED CONVERSIONS
REF: A. A. BAGHDAD 1975
B. B. VATICAN 0074
C. C. 06 VATICAN 00219
D. D. 04 VATICAN 00712
E. E. 03 VATICAN 5628
VATICAN 00000099 001.2 OF 003
CLASSIFIED BY: Christopher J. Sandrolini, Deputy Chief of
Mission, Embassy Vatican.
REASON: 1.4 (b),(d)
--------------
Summary
--------------
1. (C) Summary: Monsignor Philip Najim, Representative of the
Chaldean Catholic Church to the Holy See and the Chaldeans'
European representative, told us in a May meeting that
Christians were continuing to flee Iraq in large numbers due to
an active campaign of forced conversions to Islam and the
continued violence directed toward priests, nuns, and churches.
Chaldean Patriarch Emmanuel III Delly is now more favorably
disposed to the establishment of a Christian enclave in
Kurdistan as a last gasp attempt to keep the faithful in Iraq.
The Chaldean Church is also taking steps to establish an active
pastoral effort in countries such as Sweden where there is now a
large Iraqi Christian refugee population. Najim also asked the
USG to take steps to protect Christians in Iraq, stating that
the loss of Christianity in Iraq will be a loss for all.
Meanwhile, a Rome memorial service for slain Iraqi priest
Ragheed Ganni focused Holy See attention once again on the
threat to Christian communities in Iraq. End Summary.
--------------
Iraqi Chaldeans Fleeing Forced Conversions
--------------
2. (C) Monsignor Philip Najim, the Chaldean Catholic
Representative to the Holy See, told us in a May meeting that
the Chaldean Church in Iraq was slowly vanishing due to the
steady barrage of violence it faces on a daily basis. As
reported in reftels, the targeting of priests, nuns, and
churches by extremist and criminal elements in Iraq has
decimated the Chaldean Church and its faithful, leading to a
disproportionate outward migration flow of Christian refugees
from Iraq. (Note: UNHCR reports that while Iraqi Christians
comprise three percent of Iraq's population, they accounted for
as high as 40 percent of registered refugees fleeing Iraq early
on and now they make up closer to 20 percent of the total).
3. (C) Najim described how the Christians in Al Dorha and other
areas of Baghdad are targeted for forced conversion to Islam by
extremists who cruise neighborhoods announcing on megaphones
that Christians must convert or face death. In "more tolerant"
areas, said Najim, Christians are told that they must either
convert to Islam or pay the tax of "jizya." According to Najim,
most Christians with any financial wherewithal had already left
Iraq, and there are only about seventy-five Christian families
left in Al Dorha, an area that had been almost fifty percent
Christian as late as 2003.
-------------- --------------
Christian Autonomous Zone in Kurdistan "Better Than Nothing"
-------------- --------------
4. (C) Patriarch Delly is becoming more and more concerned
about the very existence of the Church in Iraq and is now
favorably disposed to the creation of an autonomous zone in
northern Iraq for Iraqi Christians, said Najim. The Minister of
VATICAN 00000099 002.2 OF 003
Finance for the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is funding
the construction of houses for Chaldeans fleeing Baghdad within
an existing Christian enclave in Kurdistan, he said. Najim
indicated the Patriarch has switched his stance on a Christian
autonomous zone in northern Iraq because "a Christian village in
Iraq is better than nothing at all."
--------------
Tending to the Faithful in Sweden
--------------
5. (C) Najim described how the Patriarch had recently
reassigned five priests to Sweden from their shuttered parishes
in Baghdad to look after recently-arrived Chaldean Christians
refugees in Sweden. The Church's biggest challenge is to
minister to those Chaldeans who have fled Iraq for countries
where there is no established Church presence, Najim explained.
"Our work in Sweden is an example of how we are attempting to
maintain contact with our faithful outside Iraq," he said.
6. (C) Najim estimated that Sweden had taken in over
twenty-five thousand Chaldeans during the last few years. "We
are very appreciative to the government of Sweden for accepting
our people," said Najim, "but we are also very concerned about
whether we will be able to tend to their needs in Sweden." He
described a GoS integration program for Iraqi refugees that ties
a monthly stipend for housing and food to attendance at Swedish
culture and language classes. Najim voiced concern that
Chaldeans would "lose their faith" as they assimilated into
Swedish society. He also mentioned concerns about an active
group of evangelical Muslims in Sweden targeting Iraqi
Christians for conversion.
--------------
Christians Play a Vital Role in Iraq
--------------
7. (C) Najim implored the USG to take whatever action was
possible to help preserve the Chaldean community in Iraq, noting
the vital role played by Christians in Iraqi society, and the
traditional tolerance of Christians in Iraq. He noted that
Christian schools, which were normally 20 percent Christian
students and 80 percent Muslim, were considered the best in Iraq
and successfully produced a very well educated professional
class that continues to contribute to Iraqi society. He added
that Jesuit-run Baghdad College had produced many of the most
capable leaders and professionals in Iraqi society (e.g. Ayad
Allawi, Ahmed Chalabi, Adel Abdul Mahdi, Laith Kubba, and Kanan
Makiya). Najim also pointed out that the Holy See depends on the
Chaldeans for any communications and dealing with the Orthodox
Churches in the Middle East. "If the Chaldean Church disappears
from Iraq, we will all lose," Najim concluded.
--------------
Memorial Service Highlights Christian Plight
--------------
8. (SBU) A June 7 memorial service for Chaldean priest Father
Ragheed Ganni, slain June 3 in Mosul, again focused Holy See
attention on the plight of Christians in Iraq. Father Ganni had
resided at the Pontifical Irish College while studying in Rome,
VATICAN 00000099 003.2 OF 003
and had a wide network of friends and colleagues. A packed
chapel at the Irish College included members of the Holy See
diplomatic corps, several cardinals, and officials from the
Vatican Curia (bureaucracy). Several media outlets were also on
hand reporting on the widespread grief of the congregation, and
the sense that Christians were under attack in Iraq - and
becoming an endangered species. Though we understand subsequent
reports indicate that Ganni's death may have been a car-jacking
gone bad rather than a targeted killing, the community has no
doubt that Ganni was killed for his faith. Some mentioned to us
previous threats that he had received from Islamists.
-------------- --------------
Pope Benedict Voices Concern for Iraqi Christians
-------------- --------------
9. (C) Pope Benedict XVI received Mar Dinkha IV, Patriarch of
the Assyrian Church of the East, in Rome June 21. The Pope
observed that "particularly in Iraq, the homeland of so many of
the Assyrian faithful, Christian families and communities are
feeling increased pressure from insecurity, aggression and a
sense of abandonment. Many of them see no other possibility
than to leave the country and to seek a new future abroad.
These difficulties are a source of great concern to me".
Patriarch Delly was also present at the Pope's June 21 audience
for the Aid Agencies of the Oriental Churches. The Pope
repeated his concern for Iraq and the Holy Land and called on
participants to ensure that their intervention in favor of the
suffering populations become more incisive. He also renewed his
condolences for the recent killing of priests in Iraq.
--------------
Comment
--------------
10. (C) We have heard and reported many times in the past on
concern from Najim and Vatican officials for the survival of the
Christian community in Iraq, but preoccupation here has reached
a new level. As presented by Najim, the Patriarch's change of
heart on the autonomous Christian zone in Kurdistan is an
indication of the desperation Chaldeans feel to do anything they
can to maintain a presence in Iraq. With both the Pope and
Secretary of State Bertone raising the issue with President Bush
SIPDIS
in their June 9 meeting, Najim is not alone in his concern.
ROONEY