‘simply christians’
‘simply christians’ Syrian Archbishop calls for unity By Weam Namou When Syrian Archbishop Basilios Georges Casmoussa became a priest in 1962, he entered the Priests of Christ the King, a newly established institute in Mosul, Iraq. There, Chaldean and Assyrian priests worked as one to deliver their humanitarian and spiritual mission through their shared “Christian mentality.” “Back then, we simply considered ourselves Christians and were joined by our community’s needs,” said the Archbishop, who arrived in Michigan on July 1 to escort Syrian Patriarch Youssef III Younan to the 8th Syrian North American Convention. “Groups that work together can achieve a great deal more than they would alone,” he said, affirming that “unity is the stamp of successful work.” He fears, however, that the Iraqi Christians are heading in the opposite direction. instance “Souraye,” a term that refers to the dialect used by all three peoples. While the Archbishop said he respects history, he reminds people that history no longer applies to Iraqi Christian life today. “We Archbishop Basilios Georges Casmoussa in a file photo after his kidnapping in 2005. ‘Groups that work together can achieve a great deal more than they would alone…unity is the stamp of successful work.’ — Archbishop Basilios Georges Casmoussa www.chaldeannews.com A beauty playground with many talented artists, Todds Room offers gorgeous make up applications six days a week for brides and their wedding party. To book your wedding call Tracey at 248-594-0003 A bridal tradition since 1999 Recently, at the Synod of Chaldean Church, the bishops requested for the inclusion of the Chaldean entity as separate from the others in the constitution of Kurdistan. What really surprised the Archbishop was that Cardinal Emmanuel III Delly approved this request. “The Cardinal was our last hope to end the division made by these labels,” said Archbishop Casmoussa. On June 24, the Kurdish parliament approved the decision to refer to Christians in its new constitution as “Chaldean Syriac Assyrian” (see related article, page 19). “This separation will affect our spiritual message,” Archbishop Casmoussa, adding that since the Christians in Iraq are so small in number, they ought to have one name — for should be realistic and look at the current situation and the needs of the Christians rather than dream of returning to the empire of the Chaldeans, Assyrians and Syriacs,” he said. Besides, he pointed out, Iraqi Christians come from the same land and have the same forefathers. “No one can defend their heritage by claiming they’re the originals,” he said. “And if I can prove that I’m the son of so and so, what will I gain?” The Archbishop said he believes this discussion of labels has created much unnecessary debate, taking focus away from the more important issues, including gaining dignity and equality for Iraqi Christians. “When assailants attack they 20 CHALDEAN NEWS AUGUST 2009
The CFA’s Basil Bacall (left) and Fr. Clarence Burby visit Chaldean children in Amman, Jordan, who are being helped with the Adopt-a-Refugee- Family program. don’t ask, are you Chaldean, Syriac or Assyrian?” he said. The Archbishop said he tries not to get too occupied with the Synod’s recent decision. Instead, he said, he looks for solutions. “Church leaders and educational and political scholars need to meet and, leading with their minds rather than their emotions, start planning together,” he said. He used the Kurds as an example. When they were divided by political parties, he said, there was a lot of bloodshed. In the end, they figured it was best that they unite, a decision that has empowered their nation. “We should mimic them,” said the Archbishop, “so that we don’t end up raising a fanatic among us — someone who behaves solely upon their emotions.” And while he agrees that the Christians are under terrible persecution, he does not encourage their flight to other countries — especially since they are the natives of Iraq and should remain to participate in its rebuilding. “Immigration is a temporary healing,” he said. “The more roots we have in Iraq the better. Of course, meanwhile, we will continue to knock on doors, will do our utmost, until we receive security and equal rights for the Christians.” In January 2005, the Archbishop was kidnapped and a ransom of 0,000 demanded. However, he was freed the next day unharmed and no money was paid. Does the Archbishop think that the U.S. troops withdrawing from Iraq pose a greater threat to the Christians? “Whether now or later, this was bound to happen,” he said, recalling how the Arabs were in Spain for 800 years before they finally left. “It will relieve Iraqis psychologically to have a schedule for the withdrawal. The delay has had a negative effect.” His dream is that one day the Nineveh Plain proposal be developed. This would not only reverse the flight of the Christians but also ensure their continued presence. Given the recent “Chaldean Syriac Assyrian” name placed into the new Kurdish constitution, Archbishop Casmoussa said that making this a reality will not be easy because it furthers the differences rather than commonalities between the groups. “Still,” he added bleakly, “there’s no impossibility.” helping the helpless Priest assists refugees in Jordan By Ken Marten The havoc in Iraq continues to infect hardship. While acts of violence may be down from past years, the suffering among the war’s refugees — many of them Christians — persists. Most have fled Iraq for neighboring Jordan or Syria, where they live in a state of limbo, foundering in urban slum-like conditions. There are few, if any, schools for the children. Jobs for adults are scarce; being refugees, they don’t have legal residency and thus the eligibility to work. In response to the refugee crisis, the Chaldean Federation of America (CFA) initiated its Adopt-a-Refugee-Family program two years ago. To date, it has raised more than 0,000 and has assisted more than 450 families — 220 in Jordan and the remainder elsewhere — or approximately 3,000 individuals. Fr. Clarence Burby is the program’s coordinator in Jordan, a position he’s held for two years. However, he’s lived in Amman, Jordan, and worked at the Jesuit Center in the capital city since the mid-1990s. “Every single day, I get busy,” Fr. Burby said. “There are two groups of families. One group I visit once a week in their poor homes. The second group is youngsters and women who come to the Jesuit Center and I do something similar: A religious social session is about two hours long and helps them to uplift spirits, review their life and see things in focus of the angle of their faith.” The families’ stories are as tragic as they come. Fr. Burby has heard the worst of the worst. “You might have someone in the family who was killed,” Fr. Burby said. “You might have someone in the family who is kidnapped and they don’t know where he is or if he’s still alive. Some families have been forced to sell every possession and have nothing. “It is life which is empty. They have gotten away from their surroundings and their familiarity. They all need some good support — not just from the money side.” As if conditions weren’t bad enough, Fr. Burby has observed a malaise that has led to a moral decline among some refugee adults. “They have the TV on all the time; they sleep late,” Fr. Burby said. “Some people may go and drink more to keep them going. They may gamble to hope to make money one way or another.” How does Fr. Burby cope? He confronts his feelings with frankness, and his unshakable faith. “Sometimes, I feel terrible,” he said. “The refugees can be like real beggars sometimes. For me, it’s a fulfillment of my vocation as a Jesuit priest. But it’s significant not just to do things for others, but to experience how others are living.” Basil Bacall, chairman of the Adopt-a-Refugee-Family Committee, said that even though the recession in the United States has affected the program’s efforts, it forges ahead. “Maybe God has given us an opportunity to show our love by helping others,” Bacall said. “We’re lucky because we’re blessed to be able to be in a position to help. Let’s share with others what we have.” Some donors opt to remain anonymous. Others take advantage of the program’s hands-on approach to directly monitor the progress of their adopted family through letters, phone calls and e-mails. “What’s unique about the program is that 100 percent of donations go directly to help the needy and we have four levels of transparency for donors to track their gifts,” Bacall said. “We’re all volunteers, so we have no administrative costs.” While money donated to the Adopt-a-Refugee-Family program goes specifically to Chaldean families, Burby stressed that the Jesuit Center also assists non-Christians refugees as well with money and living necessities. The number of Iraqi refugees in Jordan and Syria is estimated to be more than 2 million. “We target the Christians,” Burby said of the Jesuit Center, “but we don’t turn away anybody who needs help.” Helping hands To learn more about the Chaldean Federation of America’s Adopta-Refugee-Family Program, visit www.adoptarefugeefamily.org or call (248) 851-3023. The program has non-profit status and donations are taxdeductible. AUGUST 2009 CHALDEAN NEWS 21
