Iraqi Catholics in U.S. see continuing challenges in their homeland

Published: 2006-06-15

SAN DIEGO (CNS) -- Appointing members of rival sectarian factions to key positions in Iraq's permanent government does not guarantee religious freedom, security and long-term stability in the war-ravaged nation, according to U.S. Iraqi Catholics. Iraq's Parliament recently approved the appointments of a Sunni Muslim as defense minister, and of two Shiites as ministers of the interior and national security departments. Kurds, two Christians and members of other groups also comprise the 39-member Cabinet. In the December 2005 election, Iraqis elected only three Christians to the nation's 275-member Parliament. Christians comprise about 3 percent of the country's estimated 27 million population. Some in Parliament favor amending the constitution, which requires laws to conform to provisions of Islamic law. But fundamentalists in the legislature want Islam to be the state religion, giving "Muslim clerics the power to dictate law" and to veto measures, said Bishop Sarhad Jammo of St. Peter the Apostle Eparchy, based in El Cajon.

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