The Syrian city of Palmyra is now under the control of the Islamic State. With this downfall, the terrorists now control about half of the country. In Iraq, about 60 miles from Baghdad, the city of Ramadi, has also fallen at the hands of the Islamic State and jihadists.
This violent domino effect seems to have no end in sight. A few weeks ago, Cardinal Leonardo Sandri visited Iraq to meet with refugees and persecuted Christians. Most of them have lost all their possessions, but intangible support also helps.
CARD. LEONARDO SANDRI
Prefect, Congregation for Oriental Churches
'There's a growing need in Iraq, especially for refugees. Our visits are a symbol of support and they really help out.â?
This marks the second time the Cardinal has visited Iraq. The Islamic State marked its power last summer, triggering a humanitarian crisis that still stands to this day. Pope Francis has called for the violence to stop, as Christians and even some Muslim minority groups are forced to start anew. Their homes no longer theirs. Their cities destroyed.
CARD. LEONARDO SANDRI
Prefect, Congregation for Oriental Churches
'I think the Pope really wants to go. It's a matter of knowing when that can actually happen.â?
Ultimately, the terrorists want to impose the Islamic State and so called Sharia Law-not only in the Middle East. As part of their mission, they're destroying all trace of Christianity in Mesopotamia, a land where St. Thomas personally evangelized in the 1st century.
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