Five Year Old Son of Anglican Vicar of Baghdad Cut in Half by Islamic State Jihadists
Thursday, August 14, 2014 | Worthy News / Christian Persecution, Christian Persecution - Middle East, Iraq
By Joseph DeCaro

BAGHDAD (Worthy News)-- The five-year-old son of a founding member of Baghdad's Anglican church was cut in two during an attack on the Christian town of Qaraqosh by the Islamic State, according to the Anglican Communion News Service.

Canon Andrew White told ACNS he had christened the boy several years ago.

"I baptised his child in my church in Baghdad. This little boy, they named him after me – he was called Andrew.

"This town of Qaraqosh is a Christian village so they knew everybody there was part of their target group. They [IS] attacked the whole of the town. They bombed it; they shot at people."

IS captured Qaraqosh after Kurdish forces were forced to withdraw; although the townspeople fled to Irbil, reports suggest it may be the next target.

White said Anglicans have been working hard to provide a lot of support for the Christians who have fled Mosul and Nineveh.

"Anglicans are literally at the forefront of bringing help in this situation and there's no-one else. We need two things: prayer and money. With those two we can do something. Without those we can do nothing."

Anglican leaders, notably the Archbishop of Canterbury, have expressed dismay at the situation in Iraq.

"What we are seeing in Iraq violates brutally people's right to freedom of religion and belief, as set out under Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights," said Justin Welby, the ABC. "It is extremely important that aid efforts are supported and that those who have been displaced are able to find safety. I believe that, like France, the United Kingdom’s doors should be open to refugees, as they have been throughout history ...

"With the world's attention on the plight of those in Iraq, we must not forget that this is part of an evil pattern around the world where Christians and other minorities are being killed and persecuted for their faith. Only this week I received an email from a friend in Northern Nigeria about an appalling attack on a village, where Christians were killed because of their faith in Jesus Christ. Such horrific stories have become depressingly familiar in countries around the world, including Syria, South Sudan and the Central African Republic.

"We must continue to cry to God for peace and justice and security throughout the world. Those suffering such appalling treatment in Iraq are especially in my prayers at this time."

http://www.worthynews.com/17682-five-year-old-son-of-anglican-vicar-of-baghdad-cut-in-half-by-islamic-state-jihadists