Planning Minister, Vatican ambassador discuss Iraqi Christians’ situation
Rev Georgio Lingua, the Apostolic Nuncio to Iraq (Vatican Ambassador to Iraq)
BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Iraqi Minister of Planning Ali Yousif al-Shukri discussed today with the Vatican ambassador to Baghdad, Archbishop Jorgio, the situation of Iraqi Christians and the difficulties they are facing, a statement issued by the ministry announced. The statement added that the minister expressed his concern of the situation of the Christians in Iraq and the decrease in their numbers, in comparison to 1977 statistics. “The Christians percentage was 5 percent in 1977, but now is less than 1 percent”, the statement added quoting the Iraqi minister. Shukri pointed out that terrorism was not directed only against the Christians, but all strata of the Iraqi society. On the other side, Archbishop Jorgio said that “we observe daily the number of immigrating families, particularly from Baghdad and Mosul, which need joint efforts to minimize this situation”. He confirmed that the Vatican, though it is not an economic power, is keen to be an ally to Iraq. RM (TS)/SR 100