A Redemptorist, a member of the St.Clemens Province in Baghdad.

As Baghdad was in the news last weeks, because of persecuted Christians, it might interest some confreres to know what is happening to the Redemptorist Fathers in that place. Here follows a description about one of their members and how the events affected him.
During the dark days of murder and attacks on Christians and their churches in Baghdad, some Redemptorists shared the sufferings of their people. Even more than the Italians, the Eastern Christians care for their relatives and keep affective family relations high. They are extremely sensitive for what happens to each member of  the clan.
On October 11, 2010, during the evening Mass, when the faithful were gathered in the church of Our Lady of Deliverance, the main church of the Syrian Catholic community in Baghdad, a brutal attack took place, at the very moment of the Eucharist. It is a modern church, constructed by a Polish architect, in the shape of a ship, with an open bow over the entrance, so high that it can be seen from all over the city. The bishop was on vacation and his archdeacon, Mgr. Raphael Qoteymi, was supervising the Mass celebrated by a young priest, Fr. Thaer Abdal. He was assisted by an even younger priest Fr. Wasim. At the moment of the sermon, suddenly the church came under heavy attack, from two sides. From the side a car with explosives, and at the entrance a group of several gunmen destroyed the high wooden doors, and entered the church shooting and crying their frightening religious slogans, and all the people inside bewildered and afraid went down under the benches. The priest who tried to reason them was shot immediately, and fell on the steps of the altar. His friend who wanted to protect him also was killed merciless. The archdeacon with a group of faithful fled into the sacristia and barricaded the door. A row of protesting youngsters was shot and frightened women with children were lying on the floor. A baby boy was shot in front of his mother, before she was killed also. About 50 people were martyred that day and many wounded, by the bullets and explosions.
Most of these Christians come originally from a village in the North, in the neighborhood of Mosul. It is the most famous Syrian Catholic village of the region.
The inhabitants know all each other, as if they belong to the same family. One of  the redemptorist fathers, working in Baghdad, belongs to this village. He knew most of the people who were killed that day, besides, Fr. Wasim is his friend and close relative. This Syrian Catholic Redemptorist was ordained in his village on Christmas day some 3 years ago. After completing his higher studies in Rome, he came back and joined the Redemptorists in Baghdad. Because they belong to the Chaldean rite, he had to learn to celebrate in that rite. As the Fathers are taking care of the Melkite (Greek Catholic) community, which is without a priest, he served for a while this abandoned flock. At the demand of the Chaldean Patriarch he was then appointed pastor for an important Chaldean parish (Sacred Heart) in the midst of 2010. With all his energy and inventive Spirit he cared for this neglected church. There also he was appointed director of the Catechetical Institute, where the teachers are educated and prepared for their lessons on Fridays. Besides that, he also teaches in the Redemptorist Center for Eastern Studies in Baghdad and at the Babel College in Erbil. This Redemptorist father was deeply shocked by the murder of his village people, and especially the two young priest who were his close friends, always working together and sustaining each other. Fr. Thaer was the director of the Center for Eastern Studies, and Fr. Wasim used to teach there Church History. Many people from the North came over for the impressive burial through the streets of Baghdad, even the mother of this Redemptorist Father.  
But the killing goes on. In the night of 02-01-2011, a girl (48 years old) a teacher at the university, was found in her house, tied up to a chair, slaughtered with a knife on the head, and then covered with a sack. This girl had written poems in remembrance of Fr. Thaer and Fr. Wasim. Her texts were attached at the walls of the ruined church. She also is a close relative of Fr.Wasim and the redemptorist Father from the same village.
A few days later, a member of our Greek Melkite community was murdered. Later he was found in his house, stabbed several times and then “buried” in his refrigerator.
During these horrible days, the Redemptorist Father has suffered and is broken by pain. A word of comfort from his congregation is lacking. No material help or spiritual support. Baghdad is like a forgotten place. However not completely forgotten, because a letter arrived. Unfortunately, not a letter of condolence, but a letter asking for money. In the midst of their suffering the Redemptorists have to repay a debt that was already quitted. But even so they will try to help those poor people out of their misery.

Baghdad 2011-01-05