Rome, Italy, Jun 25, 2010 / 17:02 pm
Despite the relative calm that has settled over Mosul, Iraq since the May 2 bombing of buses carrying university students into the capital from towns nearby, fear hangs over the remaining Christian population of the diocese. According to Chorbishop Philip Najim, who is serving as the Apostolic Visitor of the Chaldeans in Europe, the “chaos” is not just limited to the Chaldean Christians still in Mosul.
On June 25, the Italian bishops' news service SIR published an interview with Chaldean Archbishop of Mosul Emil Shimoun Nona who explained that between the unstable government, problems resulting from the lack of electricity and fear, the Christian population of the diocese has been cut in half by people fleeing the volatile, hostile environment.
The local population of Christians now stands at approximately 10,000 people, he reported.
Seeking to learn more about the situation, CNA spoke with Chorbishop Najim, who was appointed by the Pope to establish parishes for the Chaldean community in Europe and provide for their pastoral care. In the Eastern Church, chorbishops assist bishops in carrying out their duties.