Washington D.C., Oct 30, 2003 / 22:00 pm
In a candid interview with the Italian Catholic magazine "Mondo e Missione," Iraqi Bishop Louis Sako of Kirkuk said that terrorists, financed by fundamentalist Muslims and some neighboring countries, are behind the attacks that prevent Iraq from becoming stable and democratic.
"There aren't any more (Iraqi) people linked to the dictator," Sako said in the interview. "What we have instead are Arab fighters who have entered Iraq, financed by fundamentalist movements in nearby countries, or maybe even by the governments. There are those who do not want Iraq to be open and free."
These groups do not have any popular support in Iraq, the bishop pointed out. "We are moderates by nature," said Sako of the Iraqi people. "The extremists who are operating are supported from outside. It is obvious that, if a democracy is born in Iraq, the surrounding countries will be worried." In particular, Sako mentioned Saudi Arabia, Iran, Syria and Egypt.
The 55-year-old bishop, who was ordained Sept. 28, served as vice-president of a provisory provincial council in his hometown of Mosul, the first such council in Iraq, after the war. The Mosul model was later reproduced in Kirkuk and other provinces.
Until recently, he was a parish priest in Mosul and before that the rector of the seminary in Baghdad. He knows 12 languages, has studied in Rome and Paris, is
an expert in ancient Christian literature, and has a master's degree in Islamic history. His is a consultant for the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue.
The bishop pointed out the great influence of the Pope in taking a stand against the U.S. attack on Iraq and preventing the war from being interpreted as a war of
religion.