Vatican Celebrates Anniversary Mass for Slain Iraqi Archbishop

Cardinal Delly's message concluded with this prayer:"May the Lord give to Iraqis the grace to endure everything with faith and perseverance."

VATICAN CITY (Zenit) - The archbishop of Baghdad implored peace and security in a message he sent to the Vatican on the occasion of a Mass celebrated to mark 30 days since the slaying of Archbishop Paulos Faraj Rahho of Mosul.

Cardinal Emmanuel III Delly addressed his message to Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, prefect of the Congregation for Eastern Churches, who presided over today's memorial Mass for the Mosul archbishop.

Archbishop Rahho was kidnapped Feb. 29 after leading the Way of the Cross. His body was found in a shallow grave March 13.

Cardinal Delly's message said: "From the distant land of Abraham, father of believers, I raise up today my humble voice, together with the Chaldean faithful who live in this fortuneless country and who have suffered for so many years. And I spiritually unite myself to Cardinal Sandri."

The patriarch also recalled the three people who were accompanying Archbishop Rahho and were killed during the kidnapping.

The message was read in St. Peter's Basilica at the end of Mass by Monsignor Philip Najim, apostolic visitor for Chaldean Catholics in Europe.

Cardinal Delly's message concluded with this prayer: "May the Lord grant us peace and security, apart from us every evil and all persecution, and give to Iraqis the grace to endure everything with faith and perseverance.

"To Benedict XVI we direct our devotion and our gratitude as sons, and we guarantee him of our love."