Hundreds turn out to see Iraq’s first cardinal preside over Baghdad mass

More than 200 Iraqis attended Sunday’s Mass at a church in eastern Baghdad to see the first Iraqi cardinal, The Associated Press reported Monday.

Worshippers were searched at the door and snipers kept watch on the roof.

According to the article: “Cardinal Emmanuel III Delly, leader of the ancient Chaldean Church, celebrated the two-hour Mass three weeks after Pope Benedict XVI elevated him to the top ranks of the Roman Catholic hierarchy.”

Delly recently presided over other services in Baghdad and Irbil.

“We are of one family, everyone should work for the progress of this country,” he said during his sermon.

According to the article: “Many people who filled the pews at the elegant brick Church of the Virgin Mary said they were taking advantage of a lull in violence to attend services and to congratulate Delly. The imam of a nearby Shiite mosque shook hands with him in the church’s courtyard after the service.”

“I came here to show the unity of the Iraqi people,” said the black-turbaned imam, Jassim al-Jazairi. “We are happy with the cardinal. We are very proud of any person, whether Christian or Muslim, who raises the name of Iraq in the international arena.”

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