The Prince of Wales has made a donation to Iraqi Christians who he said are suffering from “diabolic evil” under ISIS.
In a letter to Chaldean Patriarch Louis Sako, Prince Charles wrote that he was making his donation, described as a “very small token”, via the charity Aid to the Church in Need.
“You can have no idea how heartbroken I am to hear of the truly unbearable and barbaric persecution suffered not only by Christians in Iraq but also by some of their neighbours of other faiths,” he said.
“I wanted you to know above all that my heart goes out to all those whose lives have been shattered by this terrible conflict. Although words seem terribly inadequate at such an unimaginable time of suffering I did just want to offer, through you, my special prayers and profound sympathy to all members of the Chaldean Catholic Church in Iraq.”
The letter continued: “It is my fervent hope and prayer that the leadership and the actions of the people of goodwill such as yourself and your brothers and sisters will help overcome the diabolic evil that has wrought this terrible suffering.”
In a letter in response, Patriarch Sako thanked Prince Charles for his “concern, solidarity and charity” and said that the Christian community in Iraq had “endured massacres, atrocities and other human rights abuses” by the Islamic State.
“We consider it a kind of genocide and are deeply concerned,” he added.
The Chaldean Catholic Church is made up of estimated 500,000 people, most of whom come from northern Iraq and the areas that border it.
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