Catholic Charity helping those suffering Christian persecution worldwide

(Chaldean Patriarch Louis Raphael I Sako of Baghdad © Aid to the Church in Need)

ACN News: Monday, 4th of August 2014 – IRAQ 

Aid to the Church in Need issues invitation to the World Day of Prayer for Peace in Iraq The international Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) is inviting people from the whole world to take part in a Day of Prayer for Peace in Iraq, which is scheduled for the 6th August, the Feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord. Together with the Chaldean Patriarch Louis Raphael Sako the charity is using this occasion to call on “all people of good will” to “combine our voices and our hearts before the Lord in order to ask for peace,” Patriarch Sako writes in his message for the World Day of Prayer. 

The source of inspiration for this initiative had been the call of the Holy Father, on the 27th of July, to stop the violence in Iraq. Johannes von Heeremann, the International President of Aid to the Church in Need, explained: “At the Angelus Pope Francis called to all mankind “Please stop!, I ask you with all my heart, it’s time to stop. Stop, please!’ This urgent appeal prompted us to invite not only Christians, but also the faithful of other religions, and in particular the various Muslim communities, who are also suffering very much from the war, to join in a prayer for peace which encompasses the whole world. In view of such suffering as we are forced to watch in Iraq today, it is time to join together with our suffering brothers and sisters and to show the world that we have not abandoned them.” 

The feast of Transfiguration reminds us of the moment when Jesus, at the summit of Mount Tabor, appears to three of his disciples in a state of glory shortly before commencing the road of suffering that although initially lead to His death ultimately bear a new life, His Resurrection. Therefore, this Feast, Christian in its essence, is also a sign of hope for humanity – a hope which gives us courage when the road before us appears impossible to surmount. It reveals that light is stronger than darkness and that death can turn into life. 

In the midst of the tragedy that is Iraq today, we stand united in prayer with our suffering brothers and sisters and emphasize to the world that we have not abandoned them, that we have hope and that through our hope hate can be overcome, life overcomes death and that good will overcome evil.

Patriarch Sako, who formulated the prayer for this initiative, wrote in his message: “The Feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord is a feast of the transformation of hearts and minds in the encounter with the light and love of God for mankind. May the Light of Tabor, through our proximity, fill the hearts of all those suffering with comfort and hope. May the message of Tabor working through our prayers move those governing this country to sacrifice their personal interests for the general good.” 

The Prayer for Peace in Iraq: 

Lord, 
the plight of our country 
is deep and the suffering of the Christians
is heavy and frightening us,
therefore we ask you Lord
to assign our lives, grant us patience and courage
to continue to witness our Christian values
with trust and hope.
Lord, peace is the base of any life;
give us peace and stability
to live with each other without fear, anxiety,
with dignity and joy, glory to you forever.

† Louis Raphael I Sako 

[Chaldean Catholic Patriarch]

Editor’s Notes 
Directly under the Holy See, Aid to the Church in Need supports the faithful wherever they are persecuted, oppressed or in pastoral need. ACN is a Catholic charity – helping to bring Christ to the world through prayer, information and action.

The charity undertakes thousands of projects every year including providing transport for clergy and lay Church workers, construction of church buildings, funding for priests and nuns and help to train seminarians. Since the initiative’s launch in 1979, Aid to the Church in Need’s Child’s Bible – God Speaks to his Children has been translated into 172 languages and 50 million copies have been distributed all over the world.

While ACN gives full permission for the media to freely make use of the charity’s press releases, please acknowledge ACN as the source of stories when using the material. 

For more information or to make a donation to help the work of Aid to the Church in Need, please contact the Australian office of ACN on (02) 9679-1929. e-mail: info@aidtochurch.org or write to Aid to the Church in Need PO Box 7246 Baulkham Hills NSW 2153.