From the American Anglican Council

The Chaplain's Corner

The Rev. Canon Phil Ashey, J.D. Chief Operating and Development Officer The persecuted church in Iraq: How you can help Canon Ashey Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, This week in our Anglican Perspective video we turned the spotlight on the persecution of Christians worldwide, but especially in Iraq where the most recent persecution has been horrific: In the second wave of attacks, at least four people were killed and around 25 injured when roadside bombs and mortar shells targeted homes and a church in six districts across central Baghdad - all of them areas that are predominantly Christian. An interior ministry source told Reuters, "These operations, which targeted Christians, came as a continuation of the attack that targeted the church" in Baghdad where clergy and worshipers were killed and taken hostage during worship less than two weeks ago. Two days after the church siege, the Islamic State of Iraq - an Al-Qaeda front group that claimed responsibility for the attack - threatened further violence, saying that Christians everywhere were "legitimate targets." The Rev. Dr. Patrick Sookhdeo, Anglican priest and International Director of the Barnabas Fund which we commend in this video, stated that Christians in Baghdad are "clearly under siege by Islamic militants who want to rid the entire country of Christians." Our brothers and sisters in Christ are suffering between the choice of staying and facing further persecution, or leaving their homes, friends and country and fleeing abroad. What can you do to help? First, INFORM and PRAY. Please use this video Sunday morning as a background and an invitation to pray for the persecuted church, and especially Christians in Iraq, during the Prayers of the People. Please share it in your Sunday morning Adult Education classes or Rector's Forum. Share it among your small groups. It is a free resource which we provide weekly to help inform you and your congregation about current events that are of importance to Anglicans. Secondly, CONTACT your officials. Here is a link to find your representatives in Congress. Write or call them and ask them to call upon our government to do what it can, and the Iraqi government directly, to stop this horrific persecution. Ask them to provide for the Christians in Iraq the same protections and rights that are afforded to other religions. Thirdly, GIVE to organizations like The Barnabas Fund who provide direct aid to Christians who are suffering persecution. Above all, may we pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ in Iraq, and all persecuted Christians everywhere, that they will find comfort and strength in the Lord as they seek to be salt and light for Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:13). Yours in Christ, Phil+