Iraqi Christians Find Safety in Syria

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Bruno Shelton
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2 Iraqi Christians Find Safety in Syria Courtesy of the San Francisco Chronicle 19 July 2005 By Joshua E.S. Phillips (ZNDA: Damascus) Seated in his parish office, Father Sarmad Yousef reflected on his hard choices: to disobey his archbishop by remaining in Syria or to return to Iraq, where his name has appeared on a death list. "After the Americans came, I was one of the people telling the Iraqi Christians not to leave," he said. "After the violence started, I stopped telling them that." Father Sarmad Yousef, who left Iraq when he learned that his name was on a death list, celebrates Mass in Damascus. Photo by David Thorne, special to the San Francisco Chronicle. Christians all over Iraq face a similar dilemma as relentless violence engulfs the country, some directly targeting them. Staying in the midst of the threats is dangerous, yet leaving means abandoning communities, church property and a heritage with centuries-old roots. Before the U.S.-led war, roughly 750,000 Christians lived in Iraq, out of a population of 25 million. Most were Chaldean and Assyrian, but there also were Armenian, Jacobite and Greek Orthodox Christians and a small number of Protestants. Most of them lived either in Baghdad or in northern Iraq around Mosul. Since then, 15,000 to 20,000 Christians have fled to Syria, according to Christian groups, out of "about 700,000" Iraqis, most of them in flight from the war, according to the U.N. high commissioner for refugees. Yousef, a 30-year-old Chaldean Catholic who came here in August 2004, was the parish priest of Baghdad's St. Pathion Church, with 800 families under his stewardship. Today, he occupies a simple 104

3 office in Damascus, decorated with small portraits of St. Therese, the patron saint of his new church, cradling a bouquet of pink roses. He says he actively supported the United States when coalition troops first entered Baghdad in April 2003 and helped organize community meetings on their behalf. Such support came with grave risks, and he narrowly missed two drive-by shooting attacks. But when the Abu Ghraib prison scandal came to light, Yousef says, his view changed. Nor was he alone. "Before that, Iraqis loved Americans," said Yousef, his eyes lowered. "Directly after that -- those photos, that scandal directly destroyed the dignity of Iraqis." One Sunday last August, a spate of bombings that struck five churches in Baghdad and one in Mosul left 11 dead and scores wounded. Yousef's church was spared, but he said Iraqi Christians increasingly had started to leave soon after. When Yousef took a previously planned trip to Damascus, he learned his was one of 18 names on a death list. Thirteen of those people had been killed the previous month. "I decided not to go back -- I felt that I was too young to die," said Yousef. He left behind friends, family and his parish. The archbishop of Baghdad instructed him to return to his post, but he stayed in Damascus to fill an opening at St. Therese. Yousef's new church, wedged within Damascus' Old City of cobblestone streets and crumbling houses, overflows with worshipers during Sunday Mass. Of the 2,000 families now connected to St. Therese, 90 percent are recent Iraqi refugees. Just outside the church doors, a group of parishioners from Yousef's old Baghdad parish discussed how their lives have changed. "Life was better -- we didn't have any problems," said Jamila Tama, referring to the relative peace between religious sects under Hussein. "There's killing, bombing and kidnapping. We have nothing now -- even our house is sold." Her son, Bassam Bahnam, was grateful for the haven in Syria. "But I have three boys who worked in Baghdad, and they're all unemployed now," he said. Bahnam and his family want to return to Iraq -- when the violence ebbs. "Of course there's no place like home," said his younger brother, Hisham Bahnam. But he criticized Christian leaders' calls to stay in Iraq. "They're asking us to stay, but they're not giving us any solution," he said. "Even Christian leaders need an army to protect them whenever they go outside." George Abona, a former priest who attended a seminary with Yousef, agrees. "When my Christian leaders say, 'Don't leave your heritage,' what are they going offer me?" he said. "What will heritage do for me and my son?" In Iraq, Abona worked for the United Nations for seven years, before and during the war, and was in its Baghdad compound when it was bombed in August He survived, but the blast killed his brother, along with the top U.N. envoy in Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello, and 20 other U.N staffers. 105

4 Then last October, he was kidnapped for 19 days. He was released after another brother paid a $20,000 ransom. Despite all that, he said, "The security issue is not a big issue -- it's that I'm not ready to raise my son in an extremist Islamic society." Syria has relaxed immigration rules for its Arab neighbors. But aside from Palestinians, refugees are not allowed to hold jobs in Syria, forcing most Iraqi newcomers to live off their savings. Government assistance -- especially health care -- is limited, and the refugees must return home periodically to get their temporary visas renewed. Yousef tries to provide his new community in Syria with food and money for medical needs. The main reason he and other Christians have fled Iraq, he said, is "because we don't feel it is our country any more." "I have bad memories now," he said of events since the invasion. "Most of my friends were killed there, and we only saw cruelty and blood. I don't think I'll ever be able to go back." At St. Therese, in Damascus, Syria, about 90 percent of the parish's 2,000 families are Iraqi refugees. 14 October 2007 ţ Th e O ld C a t h o lic C h u rc h o f BC ; 715 E 51 st Ave.; Vancouver, BC V5X 1E2; Canada ţ (604)

Left: Bishop Gérard LaPlante at the baptism of Cyrus Jones; James Price holding the baby Right:

e l Jone s 4 th Generation Old Catholic & Métis The Baptism was administered by Bishop Gérard

grandchild of the family to be baptized at our Church. The Jones Family Mr. Robert & Mrs.

of St. Raphael s Old Catholic Church for over 25 years.

Right picture: with the greatgrandfather M r. Bob Jones on the right hand side Fall at St.

George Jones (grandfather), M s. Tara Jones, M r. James Price, Fr. Jürgen, M rs.

5 Left: Bishop Gérard LaPlante at the baptism of Cyrus Jones; James Price holding the baby Right: family picture: The clergy and the Jones family 4 November 2007 Ba ptism of C yrus G e orge M ic ha e l Jone s 4 th Generation Old Catholic & Métis The Baptism was administered by Bishop Gérard LaPlante, who has baptized most of the children and grandchildren; this is the first great grandchild of the family to be baptized at our Church. The Jones Family Mr. Robert & Mrs. Gloria Jones, their 6 children, 17 grandchildren, and now greatgrandchildren have been parishioners of St. Raphael s Old Catholic Church for over 25 years. Originally from Winnipeg, Manitoba, they are Métis and very faithful to the Church and the Bishop. Right picture: with the greatgrandfather M r. Bob Jones on the right hand side Fall at St. Raphael s Old Catholic Church Garden Above picture, left to right: M r. George Jones (grandfather), M s. Tara Jones, M r. James Price, Fr. Jürgen, M rs. Gloria Jones, Bishop LaPlante, Deacon M i- chael Ward, M s. Kyla England, M rs. Rhonda England 15 September 2007 ţ The O ld C a tholic C hurc h of BC ; 715 E 51 st Ave; Vancouver, BC V5X 1E2; Canada ţ (604)

All Souls Day 2 November 2007 at Ocean View Cemetery Chapel Courtyard In

month with a Holy Mass at Ocean View, as it has been custom for the last

Right: Candles are lit in remembrance of departed loved ones Below right:

Raphael s Old Catholic Church reminds everyone of the faithful departed

6 Left: Bishop Gérard LaPlante and Fr. Jürgen during the Holy Mass Right: Chapel Courtyard just after Holy Mass All Souls Day 2 November 2007 at Ocean View Cemetery Chapel Courtyard In the month of November we remember the faithfully departed and start the month with a Holy Mass at Ocean View, as it has been custom for the last five years at every first Saturday of the month. Right: Candles are lit in remembrance of departed loved ones Below right: The cross in front of St. Raphael s Old Catholic Church reminds everyone of the faithful departed from our Church Below left: The list of parishioners whose ashes here lie buried 15 September 2007 ţ The O ld C a tholic C hurc h of BC ; 715 E 51 st Ave; Vancouver, BC V5X 1E2; Canada ţ (604)

Left: At the birthday celebration for Bishop Gérard LaPlante at Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Redmond, Washington 11 November 2007 Bishop Gérard LaPlante birthday celebrated at Holy Trinity On the

Sylvie Sampson (nee Laurendeau) came from Tacoma, Washington, with her infant daughter M arina Suzanne (5 years old). 12 years ago, Bishop L aplante and his friend M r.

Kevin Sampson, an Airline Pilot, now serving with the US A ir Force. The marriage took place at St. Anne s Academy Chapel, build in 1858.

7 Left: At the birthday celebration for Bishop Gérard LaPlante at Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Redmond, Washington 11 November 2007 Bishop Gérard LaPlante birthday celebrated at Holy Trinity On the 11th November Holy Trinity Anglican Parish in Redmond, Washington, USA celebrated Bishop Gérard LaPlante s birthday; on this happy occasion, a friend and parishioner of the Bishop, M rs. Sylvie Sampson (nee Laurendeau) came from Tacoma, Washington, with her infant daughter M arina Suzanne (5 years old). 12 years ago, Bishop L aplante and his friend M r. Jürgen Alsbach were visiting Victoria, BC and met Sylvie and her friends from the Québec Province, and became friends. On 11 October 1998 Bishop LaPlante officiated at Sylvie s wedding to M r. Kevin Sampson, an Airline Pilot, now serving with the US A ir Force. The marriage took place at St. Anne s Academy Chapel, build in This Chapel served as Victoria s first Roman Catholic Cathedral! They have been friends of the Bishop and the Church since then, and the daughter M arina was baptized by Bishop Gérard L aplante 5 years ago. Above: Bishop Gérard LaPlante and Fr. Gary Wulf share the same Cake, albeit with different flags 11 November 2007 ţ The O ld C a tholic C hurc h of BC ; 715 E 51 st Ave; Vancouver, BC V5X 1E2; Canada ţ (604)

Bishop Gérard LaPlante in front of the MacKenzie home with Mrs.

Both Bishop Gérard and Sylvie are from Québec, Sylvie resides now in the

Left: The sign outside Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Redmond,

8 Above: During the reception: Mrs. Sylvie Sampson, her daughter Marina, and Bishop Gérard LaPlante Above: Bishop Gérard LaPlante in front of the MacKenzie home with Mrs. Sylvie Sampson and her daughter Marina. Both Bishop Gérard and Sylvie are from Québec, Sylvie resides now in the US. Left: Mrs. Sylvie Sampson, Marina with Mrs. Barbara MacKenzie inside. Left: The sign outside Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Redmond, Washington, USA 11 November 2007 ţ The O ld C a tholic C hurc h of BC ; 715 E 51 st Ave; Vancouver, BC V5X 1E2; Canada ţ (604)

Above: During the wedding of Sylvie and Kevin Sampson at St.

officiating below: At the baptism of Marina Sampson outside Holy Trinity

Marina Sampson inside Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Redmond, Washington, USA

9 Above: During the wedding of Sylvie and Kevin Sampson at St. Anne s Academy, Victoria, BC on 11 October 1998 with Bishop Gérard LaPlante officiating below: At the baptism of Marina Sampson outside Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Redmond, Washington, USA in July 2004 Above: during the signing of the registry; Fr. Gordon Hangerud played the organ at the service; below: At the baptism of Marina Sampson inside Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Redmond, Washington, USA in July November 2007 ţ The O ld C a tholic C hurc h of BC ; 715 E 51 st Ave; Vancouver, BC V5X 1E2; Canada ţ (604)

During the baptism of Lily Claire Aure by Fr. Jürgen Schmode on November 18, 2007 at St.

joyful occasion of the baptism of Lily Claire Aure, daughter of M r. Eric Aure and M s. Eleanor Doyle.

The family has been attending regularly since we had the wedding of Eric s cousin M rs.

for this important milestone, her parents flew in from Newfoundland.

10 During the baptism of Lily Claire Aure by Fr. Jürgen Schmode on November 18, 2007 at St. Raphael s Old Catholic Church 18 November 2007 Baptism of Lily Claire Aure This past Sunday we had the joyful occasion of the baptism of Lily Claire Aure, daughter of M r. Eric Aure and M s. Eleanor Doyle. The family of Eric is originally from the Philippines, Eleanor is from Newfoundland. The family has been attending regularly since we had the wedding of Eric s cousin M rs. Patricia Aranas at our Church in January 2003; Eleanor made her home in Vancouver for the last 10 years and for this important milestone, her parents flew in from Newfoundland. After Holy Mass the clergy greet the parishioners and the bread is distributed 18 November 2007 ţ The O ld C a tholic C hurc h of BC ; 715 E 51 st Ave; Vancouver, BC V5X 1E2; Canada ţ (604)

Above: during the baptism of Lily Claire Aure, by Fr.

Eleanor Doyle s parents from Newfoundland Left: The overflowing

11 Above: during the baptism of Lily Claire Aure, by Fr. Jürgen Schmode Above: left to right: Ms. Eleanor Doyle (mother) Mr. Jean Doucet, Fr. Jürgen with Lily Claire, Leanne (Godmother) Left: with Family and friends: on the left hand side Mr. Eric Aure s family from the Philippines, on the right Ms. Eleanor Doyle s parents from Newfoundland Left: The overflowing crowd at St. Raphael s Old Catholic Church 18 November 2007 ţ The O ld C a tholic C hurc h of BC ; 715 E 51 st Ave; Vancouver, BC V5X 1E2; Canada ţ (604)

Below: With the Doyle family from Newfoundland

Jürgen Schmode, Bishop Gérard LaPlante holding

Jürgen Schmode, Mr. Charles Reddick, Mr.

12 Above: Left to right: Fr. Jürgen Schmode and Bishop Gérard LaPlante with Mr. Gaspar Tomas, Mr. Paul Theys, Mrs. Helga Dressler Left: with the Aure and Aranas family Below: With the Doyle family from Newfoundland Above: Left to right: Server Mr. Jean Doucet, Fr. Jürgen Schmode, Bishop Gérard LaPlante holding little Lily Claire with her parents Ms. Eleanor Doyle and Mr. Eric Aure Below: Left to right: Fr. Jürgen Schmode, Mr. Charles Reddick, Mr. Jean Doucet, Mr. Sam Thomas, Bishop Gérard LaPlante, Mr. Harry Werner Caption describing picture or graphic. Caption describing picture or graphic. 18 November 2007 ţ The O ld C a tholic C hurc h of BC ; 715 E 51 st Ave; Vancouver, BC V5X 1E2; Canada ţ (604)

During the baptism of Jack Robert Barnes by Bishop Gérard LaPlante on November 25, 2007 at St.

ecember 2006, the son of M r. D avid and Ricky-Lynn Barnes and baptized by Bishop Gérard LaPlante.

Raphael's Old Catholic Church; this year 19 baptisms were administered at St.

Friends of the family who brought young children are preparing for future baptisms of their children in

13 During the baptism of Jack Robert Barnes by Bishop Gérard LaPlante on November 25, 2007 at St. Raphael s Old Catholic Church 25 November 2007 Baptism of Jack Robert Barnes Jack was born on 20 D ecember 2006, the son of M r. D avid and Ricky-Lynn Barnes and baptized by Bishop Gérard LaPlante. This is the second child of the happy couple to be baptized at St. Raphael's Old Catholic Church; this year 19 baptisms were administered at St. Raphael's Old Catholic Church. Friends of the family who brought young children are preparing for future baptisms of their children in After the baptism the pictures with parents, grandparents, godparents and clergy; on the left inside, on the right outside. 25 November 2007 ţ The O ld C a tholic C hurc h of BC ; 715 E 51 st Ave; Vancouver, BC V5X 1E2; Canada ţ (604)

25 November 2007 Above left and right: Greeting members after the

Niklas and Jennifer Kviselius from Stockholm, Sweden.

Raphael s in 2005 and have been part of us ever since and come

right: Parents and Godparents try to get everyone to look into the

14 25 November 2007 Above left and right: Greeting members after the Holy Mass ) Left: a very special surprise was the visit of Mr. & Mrs. Niklas and Jennifer Kviselius from Stockholm, Sweden. They were married at St. Raphael s in 2005 and have been part of us ever since and come regularly to visit with us. right: Parents and Godparents try to get everyone to look into the camera at the same time November 2007 ţ The O ld C a tholic C hurc h of BC ; 715 E 51 st Ave; Vancouver, BC V5X 1E2; Canada ţ (604)

The Old Catholic Church of B.C. L Église Vieille Catholique de C.B.

The Old Catholic Church of B.C. L Église Vieille Catholique de C.B. 29 June 2008 Above left: The first anointing during the baptism liturgy top right picture; Sierra Yellow-Quill is baptized, holding her is her godmother Mrs. Tammy Herman, behind her aunt Ms. Theresa Contois