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Posted on 06/09/2007 12:10:03 PM PDT by Salvation
Mosul (AsiaNews) – Before opening fire on Fr. Raghhed Gani and his three deacons, the killers demanded their conversion to Islam. These emerging details of the murder of the 4 Chaldeans have been posted by the Arab site Ankawa.com which in these last few days has been re-creating the ferocious nature of the Mosul attack through eye-witness accounts.
This information confirms the theory of a target murder, well planned and in step with the vast campaign of persecution against Christians currently underway in Iraq. So far there has been no claim of responsibility for the “senseless gesture”, as it was defined by Benedict XVI who today is due to meet president George W. Bush in the Vatican.
In the interim a press statement released by Iraq’s highest authority for Sunni Islam, the Association of Muslim Scholars in Iraq (AMSI) has condemned the murder of the Chaldean priest and his three sub-deacons, which took place June 3rd last following Sunday mass. The declaration attributes all blame for the deaths to the “occupation forces” and the “current Iraqi government”. The Sunni academics also denounce the fact that “what is happening on the ground in Iraq is pure terror, killing and destruction, due to a total deterioration in security”.
While tensions rise, some politicised Christian groups in the United States are pushing for the creation of an autonomous region for the “Assyrians in Iraq”, which they see as the only solution for their survival. In the past local bishops on the ground have expressed their strong opposition to this “dangerous” project.
The Iraqi Ambassador to the Holy See, Assyrian Albert Yelda, agrees with the bishops. The diplomat described the Mosul killings as a “shameful crime, a tragic event for all Iraq”. “The government – he continued – condemns attacks, repression, and persecution against any minority”.
In an interview with AsiaNews he underlines that now, the priority is to “regain stability, guarantee security for the entire population and keep the country united, not create barriers”. “Now is not the time to speak of safe haven for Christians, an idea which I do not support at all” he underlined. “Christians must remain in their homeland and the government is doing all it can to guarantee their security not only in Baghdad, but also in those areas where terrorism has so far not taken over”.
Only “by remaining united, Christians, Muslims, Turkmen, Kurds and Yezidi will web e able to uproot this evil from Iraq and the entire region”. Ambassador Yelda underscored that “the issue of terrorism is a global problem; this is why the international community must provide the Iraqi government with the necessary means to quash this ideology of evil which they are attempting to impose on us”.
“External elements – he added – are trying their very best to divide the government and the people; this is why the world cannot, must not abandon us. The International Community must remain by our side, because if there is no peace in Iraq, then there cannot be peace in the rest of the region”.
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They are an example to us who fight this kind of bigoted thinker wherever they exist, under whatever guise they exist and never let them get away with their lies.
I just posted this to the News forum as well. Thanks for the ping!
The Islamic killers, blind as they are, are sowing the seeds of their own eventual defeat.
Agreed.
Feast day 10th of July
"A cap is lowered by a crane to the top of the minaret during a ceremony at the Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center, the largest mosque in New England, before the first call to prayer, Saturday, June 9, 2007, in Roxbury, Mass." (AP Photo/Lisa Poole)
ROME, JUNE 6, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of a letter written posthumously to Father Ragheed Aziz Ganni by a Muslim friend of his who is a professor at the Pontifical Gregorian University. Father Ragheed and three deacons were shot and killed in Mosul, Iraq, on Sunday after Mass.
* * *
In the name of the compassionate and merciful God,
Ragheed, my brother,
I ask your forgiveness for not being with you when those criminals opened fire against you and your brothers. The bullets that have gone through your pure and innocent body have also gone through my heart and soul.
You were one of the first people I met when I arrived to Rome. We met in the halls of the Angelicum and we would drink our cappuccino in the university's cafeteria. You impressed me with your innocence, joy, your pure and tender smile that never left you.
I always picture you smiling, joyful and full of zest for life. Ragheed is to me innocence personified; a wise innocence that carries in its heart the sorrows of his unhappy people. I remember the time, in the university's dining room, when Iraq was under embargo and you told me that the price of a single cappuccino would have satisfied the needs of an Iraqi family for a whole day.
You told me this as if you were feeling guilty for being far away from your persecuted people and unable to share in their sufferings …
In fact, you returned to Iraq, not only to share the suffering and destiny of your people but also to join your blood to the blood of thousands of Iraqis killed each day. I will never forget the day of your ordination [Oct. 13, 2001] in the [Pontifical] Urbanian University … with tears in your eyes, you told me: "Today, I have died to self" … a hard thing to say.
I didn't understand it right away, or maybe I didn't take it as seriously as I should have. … But today, through your martyrdom, I have understood that phrase. … You have died in your soul and body to be raised up in your beloved, in your teacher, and so that Christ would be raised up in you, despite the sufferings, sorrows, despite the chaos and madness.
In the name of what god of death have they killed you? In the name of which paganism have they crucified you? Did they truly know what they were doing?
O God, we don't ask you for revenge or retaliation. We ask you for victory, a victory of justice over falsehood, life over death, innocence over treachery, blood over the sword. … Your blood will not have been shed in vain, dear Ragheed, because with it you have blessed the soil of your country. And from heaven, your tender smile will continue to light the darkness of our nights and announce to us a better tomorrow.
I ask your forgiveness, brother, for when the living get together they think they have all the time in the world to talk, visit, and share feelings and thoughts. You had invited me to Iraq … I dreamed of that visit, of visiting your house, your parents, your office. … It never occurred to me that it would be your tomb that one day I would visit or that it would be verses from my Quran that I would recite for the repose of your soul …
One day, before your first trip to Iraq after a prolonged absence, I went with you to buy souvenirs and presents for your family. You spoke with me of your future work: "I would like to preside over the people on the base of charity before justice" -- you said.
It was difficult for me to imagine you a "canonical judge" … And today your blood and your martyrdom have spoken for you, a verdict of fidelity and patience, of hope against all suffering, of survival, in spite of death, in spite of everything.
Brother, your blood hasn't been shed in vain, and your church's altar wasn't a masquerade. … You assumed your role with deep seriousness until the end, with a smile that would never be extinguished … ever.
Your loving brother,
Adnam Mokrani
Rome, June 4, 2007
Professor of Islamic Studies in the Institute for the Study of Religion and Culture,
Pontifical Gregorian University
[Original text: Arabic. Translation by ZENIT]
The following is a description (slightly modified) from Dr. Peter Hammond's book: Slavery, Terrorism and Islam: The Historical Roots and Contemporary Threat. www.frontline.org.za/books_videos/sti.htm
As long as the Muslim population remains around 1% of any given country they will be regarded as a peace-loving minority and not as a threat to anyone. In fact, they may be featured in articles and films, stereotyped for their colorful uniqueness.
At 2% and 3% they begin to proselytize from other ethnic minorities and disaffected groups with major recruiting from the jails and among street gangs [Europe, Australia, USA and Japan]. Six percent of US prison inmates are Muslim. Like any other minority, they won’t integrate, but work to build their own separate community.
From 5% on they exercise an inordinate influence in proportion to their percentage of the population. South Africa's Muslim population is 2%, but they control 35% of the businesses, a large percentage of the banks and have five Cabinet seats while Christians (77% of the population) have none.
They will push for the introduction of halaal (clean by Islamic standards) food, thereby securing food preparation jobs for Muslims. They will increase pressure on supermarket chains to feature it on their shelves (along with threats for failure to comply).
At this point, they will work to get the ruling government to allow them to rule themselves under Sharia; Islamic Law. The ultimate goal of Islam is not to convert the world, but to establish Sharia law over the entire world.
When Muslims reach 10% of the population, they will increase lawlessness as a means of complaint about their conditions. (Ei: car-burnings in France last October.) Any non-Muslim action that offends Islam will result in uprisings and threats.
After reaching 20% expect hair-trigger rioting, jihad militia formations, sporadic killings and church and synagogue burning (India, Mindanao, Philippines).
At 40% you will find widespread massacres, chronic terror attacks and ongoing militia warfare [Indonesia].
From 60% you may expect unfettered persecution of non-believers and other religions, sporadic ethnic cleansing (genocide), use of Sharia Law as a weapon and Jizya (infidel tax). (Sudan, Kosovo, Lebanon and Egypt).
After 80% expect State run ethnic cleansing and genocide [Western Papua (New Guinea), Iran, Biafra, Turkey and North Nigeria].
100% will usher in the peace of "Dar-es-Salaam" - House of Peace - as in Saudi Arabia, Libya and Yemen.
Ping!
From the Greek word MARTOOS, our use of the word ‘martyr’ is all too frequently associated with suffering rather than focusing on our faith through Christ.
MARTOOS as used in Acts 22:20 describing Stephen’s witness or record as of an uncertain affinity, merely attesting and manifesting one’s faith, the martyr’s significance isn’t in his death, rather that his witness remained true even with an extreme of fleshly or worldly penalty looming in an attempt to distract or shake the thinking process of the believer who is presenting their witness.
The issues of eternal salvation are already resolved and settled by God’s ministry to the believer upon just a little bit of faith through our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus.
What this article describes is the continuing fallacy of those living either in the flesh, or in worldly systems,... systems of order produced by human thinking independent of faith in God through Christ, which are void of divine righteousness, which never prevail against a simple faith through Christ.
The report more importantly reveals that these believers probably have and were predestined from eternity past to have enormous crown ready for them in heaven for the issuance and reward by our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus at the bema seat.
Don’t turn this into a theological discussion.
The martyrs already have. May they be even further exalted.
I would really like to know why the flag is upside down.
Oh this is Taxachusetts!
Kennedy and Kerry Country!
Catholic mayor in the City Hall!
And not a peep out of “The Brown Bag” (aka Cardinal O’Malley) ON ANYTHING.
Looks pretty strange to me, too. Putting the flag upside down (traditional distress sign) was a standard leftist gesture in earlier decades. All the lefties I knew stamped their mail with the flag upside down.
May God allow us to be victorious over this evil cult before civilization is destroyed.
That’s great! I debated about posting it there, but chose this. Aparently the mods let the double posting happen as long as it is on differing forums!
A good way to get the word out that Catholics are being persecued!
Thanks for that additional history to our saints!
Oh! Wow!
You figured out why the state of dimocrats has the flag upside down?
**May God allow us to be victorious over this evil cult before civilization is destroyed.**
Remember Lepanto! Pray the Rosary!
They are martyrs. May the RIP.
While the original Greek word simply meant "witness," one does not determine meanings of words from roots. The root is only helpful in determining the meaning of a word, it is not determinant. As such, martyr has come to mean a person who dies for their cause or faith.
I’ve found the difference in meaning to be significant. In one case the object of thinking is to resist an adversarial pressure. In the other meaning the object of thinking is obedience through faith in Christ.
The two meanings are discernibly different and are provided in Scripture for those who study His Word through faith in Him. While living in the former sense might be done out of love for one’s neighbor, it is also feasible without faith through Christ. Living through faith in Him implies the latter meaning, which also reveals many other blessings and spiritual growth in time by His ministry.
I raise this point, because it is a simple notion which places a believer in position for God the Holy Spirit to perform more ministry in the thinking believer.
High Volume. Articles on Israel can also be found by clicking on the Topic or Keyword Israel. or WOT [War on Terror]
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High Volume. Articles on Israel can also be found by clicking on the Topic or Keyword Israel. or WOT [War on Terror]
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Senseless gesture? Can the Pope be as clueless about Islam as Bush is? - tom
How long do you suppose it will be before we see that loudspeakers are installed and the Muslims of Boston are called to prayer during the day?
No, they're not. The only meaning for the word "martyr" in Scripture is simply "witness." I might be wrong, but I'm almost certain there is no usage of "martures" as one who dies for their faith in the Bible. And while the distinction between the "two meanings" might be helpful for you in your devotional thinking, "witness" is only used in connection with faith in Christ in the Scripture.
I suspect we agree on the meaning of martyr as used in Scripture.
(KJV) Acts 22:20 And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him.
(ASV) Acts 22:20 and when the blood of Stephen thy witness was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting, and keeping the garments of them that slew him.
Both of these translations are from the Greek phrase STEPHANOU TOU MARTUROS.
I agree with you that the meaning of the word martyr in Scripture refers to a witness of Christ.
My discernment regards a different meaning of the word martyr assumed by those who associate suffering or death with that witness, as the object of focus in the thoughts of the person they observe. For example, there is a mistaken notion that if any man sacrifices himself in his body or his soul, then that is sufficient payment to guarantee him eternal life with God in heaven.
For example, if a man is rebellious to God, is adversarial to his fellow man, states he is being faithful to Christ, but in his thinking, focuses upon being adversarial to the persons slaughtering him, that victim is merely losing his physical life, not manifesting a witness of faith in Christ.
On the contrary, Scripture points to those who were martyrs as being witnesses of faith in Him. So much so, that even their physical death and threats of death and intimidation failed to change their witness, i.e. they remained in Christ by faith through Him.
As you have well noted, the passage in Acts and in Rev 2:13 both refer to witnesses to Christ by their faith through Him, even unto death, but the emphasis is upon their witness, not their physical death. Their thinking remained through faith in Him, which is also found to be righteous because it is the same faith as Christ held on the Cross when suffering death as the Perfect sacrifice to God the Father for all our sins, thereby allowing God in His immutable Holiness to be free to give us eternal life when He so chooses.
In regards to the article, we do not know if the three victims of physical violence are saved or not because we cannot know their hearts, but they did indicate and manifest behavior the same as those who are witnesses of Him through faith in Christ and exhibited fruits of that same faith.
My discernment in the two meanings is to point out to those who may not understand Christ and faith, that a victim of physical violence who previously stated their belief in Christ is not a martyr because of their victimhood, but rather because of their witness. When one understands this, the significance of faith and its meaning might be more enticing to study, to understand why physical death doesn’t cause a believer to lose, rather they remain a winner in all things through faith in Christ. That understanding only comes through faith in Him and requires the student to submit himself to God to be able to even understand it. otherwise it is never spiritually discerned and appears foolishness.
Check out the definition of the word gesture.
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