END TIMES

It is nearing the time when Christian presence in Iraq will be gone. Thousands are in refugee camps in Syria and Jordon and have overloaded the ability of those countries to provide relief.

Work must be done to keep Christians from leaving Iraq, says bishop:

"ROME, Apr 24, 2008 / 01:27 pm (CNA).- Speaking to the SIR news agency,
Auxiliary Bishop Shlemon Warduni of Baghdad said this week, “I am pleased to
hear that some countries in the European Union have opened their doors to Iraqi
Christian refugees, but it is also necessary to work so that Christians do not
keep leaving Iraq.”"

Great Day

The part of the Holy Father's speech to the Bishops that grabbed me was

A strongly worded critique of what is often called "cafeteria
Catholicism.

Said Benedict: "Is it consistent to profess our belief in church
on Sunday, and then during the week to promote business practices or medical
procedures contrary to those beliefs? Is it consistent for practicing Catholics
to ignore or exploit the poor or the marginalized, to promote sexual behavior
contrary to Catholic moral teaching, or to adopt positions that contradict the
right to life of every human being from conception to natural death?"

Deploring the tendency "to treat religion as a private matter," the pope declared:
"Only when their faith permeates every aspect of their lives do Christians become truly open to the transforming power of the Gospel."

Benedict XVI Visit

In case you haven't found it, this blog address will provide a detailed description of his visit to Washington DC and New York. There is even a complete liturgical "book" for each of the days he will be here.

World news Feed Article | World news |

More Anti-Christian actions. Have you heard any of our presidential candidates say a word?

An Assyrian Orthodox priest was shot to death Saturday by gunmen using silencers as the Christian cleric and his wife returned home after a trip to the market in Baghdad.
The latest attack against Iraq's Christian minority drew a new plea
from Pope Benedict XVI for Iraqis to ``find the way of peace to build a just and tolerant society.''
Father Youssef Adel, 47, had tried to escape the sectarian violence, fleeing the predominantly Sunni neighborhood of Dora at a time when insurgents were burning down churches and uprooting Christians from their homes on threat of death. He moved with his wife, Lamia, to a relatively safe area in the mostly Shiite central district of Karradah and presided over services at the nearby St. Peter and Paul church, according to an assistant who spoke on condition of anonymity because of security concerns.
But in a tragic example of the dangers that continue to face Iraqis despite a sharp drop in violence, Adel was shot to death by gunmen near the gate of his house, another priest in the same church said, also declining to be identified for fear of becoming a target himself.

IRAQ Iraqi Christians also taking to the streets abroad - Asia News

Not even once have I heard the "christian" leaders of our country point out the difficulties being experienced by Christians in Iraq.

"Rome (AsiaNews) – Iraqi Christians have brought their silent marches to the West, calling for justice and an end to the persecution visited upon them daily in their homeland. As people in the Plain of Nineveh march every day demanding the truth about the murder of Mgr Faraj Rahho, Chaldean archbishop of Mosul, Iraqi immigrants in the Netherlands, Germany and Canada (see photo) have taken to the streets, waving banners and holding up photos of their martyrs. For some demonstrators Monsignor Rahho is “a symbol for every Iraqi Christian,” not only for the Chaldean community."

OSV | Pope Benedict XVI | Papal Visit 2008

He's coming! On April 15, 2008, Pope Benedict XVI will begin a six-day trip to the United States, visiting Washington, D.C. and New York City. The Holy Father will meet with President Bush, lead Mass at the National Park in Washington and Yankee Stadium, address the United Nations General Assembly, and visit Ground Zero."

Artvoice Blogs » Echo Chamber: New You Could Have Read Anywhere

As you read down, you find this interesting item. It has been my understanding that Islam, like Christianity, has numerous divisions.

"Islam has surpassed Catholicism as the world’s leading religion,
according to Vatican officials. Roman Catholics account for 17.4 percent (1.1 billion) of the world’s population, while Muslims comprise 19.2 percent (1.3 billion), a number that continues to rise. The total for all Christians of all denominations is roughly 2.1 billion, or a third of the world’s population. “For the first time in history, we are no longer at the top: Muslims have overtaken us,” said Monsignor Vittorio Formenti. He, of course, was neglecting the first 200,000 years of human history when he made that statement."