Statement from the Archbishop of Canterbury on Iraq

From Anglican Mainstream.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, issued the following statement today on the situation in Iraq, shortly before he travelled from the Philippines to Papua New Guinea.

“The horrific events in Iraq rightly call our attention and sorrow yet again. Christians and other religious minorities are being killed and face terrible suffering.

“What we are seeing in Iraq violates brutally people’s right to freedom of religion and belief, as set out under Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It is extremely important that aid efforts are supported and that those who have been displaced are able to find safety. I believe that, like France, the United Kingdom’s doors should be open to refugees, as they have been throughout history.

“The international community must document human rights abuses being committed in northern Iraq so that future prosecutions can take place. It is important and necessary for the international community to challenge the culture of impunity which has allowed these atrocities to take place.

“With the world’s attention on the plight of those in Iraq, we must not forget that this is part of an evil pattern around the world where Christians and other minorities are being killed and persecuted for their faith. Only this week I received an email from a friend in Northern Nigeria about an appalling attack on a village, where Christians were killed because of their faith in Jesus Christ. Such horrific stories have become depressingly familiar in countries around the world, including Syria, South Sudan and the Central African Republic.

“We must continue to cry to God for peace and justice and security throughout the world. Those suffering such appalling treatment in Iraq are especially in my prayers at this time.”

ISIS: We Will Raise Flag of Allah in the White House

From Anglican Mainstream.

Troubling. Are we paying attention? May the scales fall from the eyes of those leaders and policy makers who are blind to this evil.

The Islamic State has warned the United States that it plans to attack America and raise “the flag of Allah in the White House.”

“I say to America that the Islamic caliphate has been established,” Abu Mosa, a spokesman for the terror group, also known as ISIS, told Vice Media in a video interview posted online  Thursday. 

“Don’t be cowards and attack us with drones. Instead send your soldiers, the ones we humiliated in Iraq. We will humiliate them everywhere, God willing, and we will raise the flag of Allah in the White House.” 

Read it all.

Cranmer: Canon Andrew White: “You have got to be prepared to die for your faith”

A good but troubling piece from ABP Cranmer. God bless Canon White and all the faithful who are prepared for martyrdom.

“We have had people’s heads chopped off. We are having people convert. We are even having children slaughtered and cut in half.” And with these words, Newsnight’s interview with Canon Andrew White ends, as he leaves the Baghdad studio to carry on ministering to his flock. “We are living in worst crisis I have ever known,” he writes on Facebook. “Working day and night to meet the needs of those who have nothing. We are providing a huge amount and as you will see on this video we are all very tired, but our Lord is sustaining us.”

And he does look rather tired. But there is no sense of bitterness, exasperation, or even a hint of indignation. His whole demeanour is one of peacefulness and serenity. At times he sounds almost like a soul in bliss, and perhaps that is what makes his ministry so vital in a region where every waking day brings an expectation of death.

Read it all.