SCOBA/SCOOCH Statement On Iraq Church Bombings
SCOBA
The Standing Conference of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas
8 East 79th Street, New York, NY 10021
For Immediate Release
August 5, 2004
SCOBA/SCOOCH Statement On Iraq Church Bombings
The hierarchs of the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops
in the Americas (SCOBA) and the hierarchs of the Standing Conference of
Oriental Orthodox Churches in America (SCOOCH) learned with great
sadness the news that religious edifices were targeted by certain
extremist elements in Iraq.
SCOBA and SCOOCH have been and are deeply committed to interfaith
dialogue. In Iraq, citizens of different faith backgrounds have lived
together peacefully and harmoniously for centuries. “We deplore the
violent and destructive acts of persons seeking to create disharmony and
division among people whose faiths derive from one common Abrahamic
source,” stated Archbishop Demetrios, chairman of SCOBA and Metropolitan
Philip Saliba, vice-chairman of SCOBA.
Archbishop Barsamian, chairman of SCOOCH, added, “We pray for the
victims of these divisive forces. We pray for the enlightenment of
those who sow division. And we express our love for and solidarity with
all persons of good will in Iraq.”
Contact:
SCOBA Office
8 East 79th Street
New York, NY 10021
Tel: 212-570-3593 fax: 212-770-0202
Email: scoba@goarch.org