The Christians of Iraq are full citizens of the country, with the same rights and duties as all others; there is to be no discrimination on the basis of religion. Benedict XVI made these statements during the course of an audience with a group of Chaldean bishops led by their patriarch, Emmanuel III Delly, at the end of their ad limina visits. Pope Benedict stressed the great sufferings of the Iraqi Church during the present phase, and noted the role of first importance that the Church has always played in service to the human, social and spiritual growth of the country. The Chaldean Church, said Pope Benedict, is called today to play an important role of moderation, in the building of a society in ...
