Grisly murder of priest in Iraq underscores Christ
October 28, 2006
Pray for the Christians in Iraq
Iraq (MNN)--The security situation in Iraq remains grim. Islamic militants beheaded and dismembered a Syrian Orthodox priest in Mosul, Iraq. The body, found two weeks ago, is symbolic of the rise of violence against Christians. The grisly nature of the murder is the latest in a series of recent attacks against religious minorities. Voice of the Martyrs Canada's Glenn Penner said: "The Christians are viewed as being linked to the West, even though there have been Christians in Iraq for many, many years. These Muslim militants, because of their hatred for the West, for anything that they perceive as being 'West', have increasingly taken out violence against Christians throughout Iraq." Penner says the violent pattern now has driven many believers out of the country. There are a few workers, but, "The number of Christians in Iraq has significantly declined since the Western intervention in the country, particularly for those who are seeking to do evangelistic work in the country, it's dangerous. Those who are caught can be attacked or even killed."
