Letter to Interim Prime Minister Allawi on Church Bombings in Iraq, August 6, 2013

August 6, 2004

Iyad Allawi
Interim Prime Minister
c/o Iraq Mission
Permanent Representative of Iraq to the United Nations
14 East 79th Street
New York, NY 10021

Dear Mr. Prime Minister:

It was with shock and horror that I heard the news of the bombing of the Christian Churches in Baghdad and Mosul. The tragedy of the killing and maiming of the devout during worship defies understanding.

I know you are proud of Iraq's long tradition of Muslims and Christians living together in peace. I urge you to do all in your power to halt such acts of terrorism obviously intended to stir animosity among people who have lived in harmony. These terrible acts were aimed at Iraqi Christians, but our condemnation would be equally severe if the targets had been Muslim places of worship.

As we have said before, "…full religious freedom for all people and all religious bodies in Iraq would contribute to stability and help avoid sectarian conflict.

Our prayers are with the people of Iraq – Muslims and Christians - as they resist violence and seek a peaceful road to a sovereign democracy.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Reverend Wilton D. Gregory
Bishop of Belleville
President