Mosul: The leader of Iraq's minority Christians urged them yesterday not to be cowed and to be "steadfast" in their faith after the kidnapped Chaldean Catholic archbishop was found dead in northern Iraq.
The abduction and death of Paulos Faraj Rahho, 65, was the most high-profile attack on Iraq's Christians, who have been targeted by Al Qaida, since the US-led invasion in 2003.
"I ask the people of the church to be steadfast and patient," the Chaldean patriarch of Baghdad and leader of Iraq's Christians, Cardinal Emmanuel III Delly, told hundreds of mainly Christian mourners who crowded into a church near Rahho's home village north of Baghdad to pay their last respects.
Rahho was abducted on February 29 after gunmen attacked his car and killed his driver and two guards. His body was found in a shallow grave in eastern Mosul on Thursday.
He had been in poor health and it was not clear how he had died, though Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki on Thursday blamed his death on Al Qaida.
Police said he appeared to have been dead a week and his body showed no bullet wounds.
His death drew international condemnation, including from US President George W. Bush and Pope Benedict.
Chaldeans belong to a branch of the Roman Catholic Church that practices an ancient Eastern rite. They form the biggest Christian community in Iraq, although tens of thousands are reported to have fled Iraq after threats from Al Qaida.
Blaming 'occupation'
"I appeal to God that this awful act will help the peace process in the tortured country," Delly told mourners in the Mar Eddy church in Rahho's home village of Kramleis, east of Mosul, 390km north of the capital.
Scores of Christian clergy wearing full ceremonial vestments attended the service. A Muslim mourner echoed his comments.
"We're really sorry for what's happened. The archbishop used ... to provide financial and other help. We are very close to Christians, they are our family and our neighbours. These problems started after the occupation," Mohammad Hammoudy said.
