PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version: nian.htm
HIS HOLINESS ARAM I CALLS FOR CHRISTIAN-MUSLIM COEXISTENCE,
CONDEMNS THE VIOLENCE AGAINST CHRISTIANS IN IRAQ
Condemning attacks on Christians in certain parts of Iraq, particularly in
the city of Mosul, His Holiness Aram I called on the Iraqi authorities to
exert all influence to stop the hostility. The Armenian Pontiff stressed
that Christians and Muslims have lived together for centuries in the Middle
East and in Iraq with mutual respect and love. Considering the current
situation as unacceptable, His Holiness pointed out that the Middle East is
the cradle of Christianity; Christians are equal citizens in all the
countries in the region and should be included in all community and
government structures. "We are confident that the Iraqi government will
revert to the necessary measures to prevent these irresponsible acts against
Christians," he said.
Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora also condemned the developments during
a telephone conversation with the Iraqi President, calling for utmost
attention to Christian-Muslim coexistence.
His Holiness issued his statement in Geneva, where he is participating in an
international Christian-Muslim conference. He also called upon the World
Council of Churches to express its position on this issue with a similar
condemnation.
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The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
the mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician
Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is located in
Antelias, Lebanon.
From: Baghdasarian