First anniversary of the attack on Our Lady of Deliverance Cathedral in Baghdad, Iraq

October 31, 2011 marks the first anniversary of the attack on Our Lady of Deliverance Cathedral in Baghdad, Iraq.

We prayerfully remember the valor and heroism of those fifty four fallen innocent souls; Rev. Fr. Thaer Saad, Rev. Fr. Boutros Wasim, the newborns, the countless children, young men, woman and elderly who were massacred on a prayerful Sunday while celebrating the Divine Liturgy that became their last earthly supper with Christ.

In their lives, they held on to their faith with pride and honor. And in their death, they followed the commandment of their Master and laid down their lives for one another. Our two brother priests were massacred at the altar they lovingly served with all their hearts and souls. The worshipers offered their lives few steps off the altar of salvation in unity with their sacrifice.

We are grateful to God for the lives and the Christian witness of a hundred others who survived this tragedy; Chorbishop Rafael Kutaymi, some deacons and the faithful. A year has gone by on this massacre but our world has not changed. In the past few weeks, we have witnessed yet another attack on the Coptic Christians, innocent worshipers killed by the army in the streets. When is the violence going to end? When is the exodus of Christians from the Middle East going to stop?

We shall not forget our martyrs who died for their faith but for the world, this massacre may already be a forgotten past. Even worse, it is yet another tragedy that is overshadowed by other numerous attacks on Christian churches and homes.

United together, we have one resolve; to proclaim Jesus Christ, our Prince of Peace. We shall preach His message of love and peace unceasingly. We stand unshaken and steadfast in faith.
I appeal to all my brother bishops, clergy, religious and laity so that you may remember our martyrs in your prayers. Please pray for the Christians of the Middle East so that peace and harmony may reign in our countries.

May the sacrifice of these innocent faithful be not in vain but for the greater glory of God’s Name, to renew talks of peace and to foster a spirit of harmony and true reconciliation.
On this Sunday of the Sanctification of the Church we pray together: Sanctify us O Lord! Sanctify your Holy Church and sanctify your pilgrim people on Earth! Amen.

+ Mar Barnaba Yousif Habash
Bishop of Our Lady of Deliverance
Syriac Catholic Diocese in the USA & Canada