Iraqi Christians Prepare to Vote in March 7th Election

We are faced with the opportunity to stand with them in our Baptismal communion and show our solidarity through prayer.

NASHVILLE, TN (Catholic Online) - In an appeal both to God and to the Iraqi government for protection as violence against Christians escalates in the weeks and days leading up to the country´s most important national elections to date, more than 1000 Christians demonstrated Sunday east of Mosul in anticipation of the election on March 7.

Led by their religious priests and nuns, they carried olive branches in silent prayer and protest of the recent flurry of persecution against them by Islamic jihadists in Iraq. Iraqi Christians are part of historic indigenous communities that have been in the area now known as Iraq since about 35 AD when the Apostle Thomas headed East with the Gospel.

Iraqi Coptic Christians, whose faith predates Islam by several centuries, are in radical decline due to political and religious instability in the area that has led to their persecution and martyrdom. The upcoming election offers Iraq the opportunity to move beyond the bloody conflicts of the past seven years towards long-term political and economic stability.

But armed religious groups have been engaging in high-profile attacks against Christians and other minorities, in the months and weeks leading up to the election, to disrupt the political process and gain the upper hand for political factions subscribing to their preferred Islamic emphasis.
 
The first parliamentary election since the US relinquished security control last June, it is also the first national election in which voters can choose individual candidates as well as parties. With more than 6,000 candidates running, the country is a cauldron of religious and political attacks, sectarian divisions, and conspiracies that could limit voter turnout in an election seen as crucial to national stability.

Christians, especially, battle for their lives as they seek equal representation in the Iraqi parliament in the upcoming election. Already guaranteed 5 seats, Christians could pick up additional seats according to the number of actual votes. It is, therefore, imperative that Iraqi Christians vote in the general election to secure political recognition of their minority rights.

Such political recognition and representation is perhaps the key to the survival of Christianity in Iraq where the government, to date, has largely turned a blind eye to religiously motivated attacks against them. Lack of political representation almost guarantees that radical sectarianism will continue to dictate and confine the Iraqi government´s treatment of religious diversity.

Although the quota in parliament for Christian seats exists, the list of Christian election candidates includes some who lean Kurdish, some independents, and others who are more closely Arabic. Because Sunni Islamic insurgent groups, such as al Qaeda, have little tolerance for those who do not adhere to their severe brand of Islam, they attack Iraqi minorities, specifically Christians, whom they label crusaders and infidels.

Supporting FREE Catholic Education with Grass-fed Beef

The dramatic increase in attacks against Christians in Iraq indicates an effort to intimidate voters and derail the election by both Kurd-Arab factions and al Qaeda. Given that Iraq's majority Shiites, whom they consider heretics, are likely to lead Iraq's next government, al Qaeda has publicly indicated it would use military means to prevent the vote, and has since actively delivered on the promise with a systematic campaign of violence against minorities, particularly Christians.

A successful election process would include significant turnout, equal representation and credibility. Such an election would contribute to national reconciliation and give Iraqi leaders a new incentive to cooperate in a spirit of national unity to rebuild their country after years of conflict.

It would also serve to combat local cynicism about the integrity of the current government, and strengthen Iraq´s sovereignty and independence at arguably the most pivotal moment in the country´s history as the United States begins systematic withdrawal of its military presence.

But the most important outcome of a successful election for the ancient Christian community would be equal representation and protection under the law to live and practice their faith in safety. It is this outcome that Iraqi Christians petitioned for Sunday, during the time in which Mass is ordinarily offered.

Instead of Mass in Mosul Sunday morning, the Archbishop declared that time would be entirely devoted to an act of protest, and silent prayer and fasting for peace and for the survival of Iraq's Christians. The Eucharist was celebrated in the afternoon.

A banner carried during Sunday´s march read: "The blood of the innocents screams for an end to the violence." Indeed, their blood may also be on our hands if, after reading about the plight of our brothers and sisters in the East, we Catholics here in the West do nothing more than urge them to crawl, if necessary, to the voting booths on Sunday.

As they do so under fear of death, we are faced with the opportunity to stand with them in Baptismal communion through fasting and prayer this critical week as we beg God together that He will protect His remnant church in Iraq.

-----

Sonja Corbitt is a Catholic Scripture teacher, study author and speaker. She is a contributing writer for Catholic Online. Visit her at www.pursuingthesummit.com and www.pursuingthesummit.blogspot.com.

---

'Help Give every Student and Teacher FREE resources for a world-class Moral Catholic Education'