Indian bishop invokes Mary Queen of Heaven to bring peace to Iraq
Mumbai (AsiaNews) - On August 22, the feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Heaven, Msgr. Felix Machado invokes a special prayer meeting for the Christians of Iraq, victims of "unimaginable atrocities" by ISIS militants (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant). In a reflection sent to AsiaNews, the bishop of Vasai, Chairman of the Commission for Ecumenical and Interreligious Dialogue of the Federation of Asian Bishops 'Conferences (FABC) and the Office for Ecumenism and Dialogue of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI), reflects on what is happening in Iraq. Msgr. Machado's call to prayer is echoed by Card. Oswald Gracias, archbishop of Mumbai, who asks "all the faithful to pray for peace and for an end to senseless violence" that has forced more than 200 thousand people to flee their homes.
The grave catastrophic tragedy in Iraq deeply impacts the core of Religious people, not just Christians. This destruction going on in Iraq destroys homo religiosus, the very nature of human being who is religious, found in all "historico-cultural contexts", thus all humanity and this ceaseless mindless assault in Iraq is dehumanizing and a grave threat to all humanity.
Many horrors that have beset Iraq as Islamic State (IS) fighters rampage through the country. -, taking hostage of the situation and exploiting the most vulnerable and weak of society. These attacks are destroying Iraq not only materially but also destroyed their moral.
As FABC President of the Commission for Ecumenical and Inter-religious Dialogue-The aspect of inter religious dialogue, it is all minorities that are targeted, this is a message for the wider world, wherever people are in minority more oppression is done to these people. Finally I am a Christian and my heart goes out to my Baptised brothers and sisters, who are suffering previously this tragedy.
ISIS's targeted brutality and persecution of Christians is grave human rights violation. Christian population of Iraq is one of the oldest in the world, but this Christian'o-phobia is destroying the historic and human legacy of Iraq. . Iraq is heading towards the total destruction of its historic religious history. The Iraq Christians population has been completely displaced; the unthinkable atrocities committed against the Iraq women and children a "total depravity"
From the 4th August, (Vianney Day), the priests and lay faithful have been praying daily for the Iraq Christians and the situation in Iraq. However, on 22nd August, I will spend time in personal pray for the Iraq Christians. On the Feast of the Queenship of Mary, - for our Iraqi Christians who have coexisted harmoniously have bring Peace to Muslims and Christians, together with other Iraqi minorities, for all Iraq.
Mary - The Queen of Heaven is our only Hope. Mary is very respected by the Muslims. She is the model of faith for muslims. Mary's faith is extolled by Muslims. Queen of Heaven has a tremendous influence on the millions of Muslims. Mary is mentioned no less than 34 times in the Koran. In addition, the 19th surah (chapter) of the Koran is named after her. Based on these facts alone, it is apparent that "Our Lady" is surely seen as blessed above all women by orthodox Muslims.
Mary is a gentle woman, the woman of the Magnificat, the woman of the poor, the woman of those who are oppressed. A woman who represents those who are abandoned, who are marginalised. She is a gentle woman, unshaken by her faith in God".
(Nirmala Carvalho collaborated)
*President of the Commission for Ecumenical and Inter-religious Dialogue of the Federation of Asian Bishops Conference (FABC) and President of the Office for Dialogue and Ecumenism of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI)
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