Melanie's Memo from Iraq #12

Mass in the Language of Jesus

Articles from War

By LTC Melanie Meier

 

Prior to the 2003 start of Operation Iraqi Freedom, an estimated 1.2 million Christians lived in Iraq.  For several reasons that number today is thought to be down around 600,000.  Extremist groups have targeted Iraqi Christians with the prime example being the 2007 kidnapping and execution of the Chaldean Catholic Arch Bishop and two other priests in Baghdad. But despite continued threats to their lives, these holy men have remained loyal to the Pope and the Church while staying in Iraq to help the Iraqi people with their struggle for peace.

 

Last weekend Bishop Imad Al Banna, a priest and native of Basra Iraq, came to Camp Adder to share Mass with Catholic Soldiers and to spread his word of peace. Bishop Al Banna serves as deputy to the Arch Bishop of all Chaldean Catholics and his Bishopric includes responsibility for all of southern Iraq. 

 

For those of us attending this Mass it was an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hear the ancient sacraments in Aramaic, the language of Jesus. The Bishop combined parts of the Mass in Aramaic and English, and he had an interpreter for his homily. He thanked us for leaving our homes and traveling so far for peace. He also thanked us for all our work to help provide his nation with a government that cares about and for its people. He told us such governments were the key to peace.  He also stressed that although he is a Catholic he helps all the Iraqi people in southern Iraq, not just Christians.

 

The sing-song chanting of the familiar prayers in the language of Jesus had a calming effect and it was neat to hear members of the congregation responding. Many of our interpreters are Iraqi/American Christians who returned to Iraq to do their part for the Iraqi people and I met two the day before the Mass. One was from Basra like the Bishop and even had a tie to my home. He works for a Human Terrain Team based out of Fort Leavenworth. 

 

Like the Iraqi/Americans who work as role players for the Battle Command Training Program out of the Fort, they tell you that the Chaldean Christians of Iraq are the "real Iraqis" whose ancestors once thrived in the birth place of Abraham. As he graciously posed for pictures with every soldier there, Bishop Al Banna actually thanked us for allowing him to serve Mass in the land of the prophet, Abraham.