Statement of Iraqi Patriarchs and Bishops
Want Constitution to Observe Religious Rights
VATICAN CITY, APRIL 30, 2003 (Zenit.org).- Here is a statement of the Iraqi patriarchs and bishops, published today by
the Vatican press office.
* * *
At this moment, when Iraq is turning a page and is beginning a new chapter in her millenary life, we, the Patriarchs and
Bishops of the Christian Churches in Iraq, driven also by pressure from our faithful, wish to express our aspirations
relative to the future of this country, in the hope that the Iraqi people, which has had a long history marked by
defeats and successes, will be able, without religious or ethnic distinction, to live in freedom, justice and respect
for interreligious and multiethnic coexistence.
When Hammurabi sculpted his Code on the stone of this land, law became the basis of the development of civilization.
When Abraham looked at the heavens above Ur, they opened up to him and, by this revelation, Abraham became the Father of
a multitude of peoples.
When Christianity and Islam met, their respective "holy ones" began the two religions in respectful and reciprocal
coexistence.
In addition, by virtue of our original right of belonging to the most ancient peoples of this land, we claim for
ourselves and for all those who live in it today, whether a majority or minority, united by a long history of
coexistence, the full right to live in a state of law, in peace, freedom, justice and equality, according to the Human
Rights Charter. Consequently, we -- Chaldeans, Assyrians, Syrians, Armenians, Greeks and Latins -- forming together one
Christian community, ask that the new Iraqi Constitution:
-- Recognize our religious, cultural, social and political rights;
-- Envision a legal statute in which each person will be considered according to their capacities, without
discrimination, so that each may have the right to actively participate in the government and the service of this
country;
-- Consider Christians as Iraqi citizens with full rights;
-- Guarantee the right to profess our faith according to our ancient traditions and our religious law, the right to
educate our children according to Christian principles, the right to freely assemble, to build our places of worship,
and our cultural and social centers according to our needs.
And, lastly, we make this appeal before everyone, the Iraqi people, rich in ethnicities and religions, the political and
religious authorities, as well as to everyone who has the good of the country at heart, and to the leaders of the
international community.
[Translation of the French original by the Vatican Information Service]
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