Religious freedom in Iraq is long gone

I REFER to the murder on Sunday, June 3, of the Irish-trained Iraqi priest Fr Ragheed Ganni and three of his deacons, after he had celebrated Mass in his native city of Mosul.

Your report (Irish Examiner, June 5) states: “President McAleese, who met Fr Ganni at Lough Derg, recalled a long conversation with the priest, in which he told her of the growing religious freedom for Christians in Iraq.”

For fear that readers might conclude this had been a recent conversation, it is important to quote the President’s exact words, as recorded on RTÉ news on June 4: “I remember the long conversation we had with him — it was before the Americans and the British invaded Iraq — and he telling me of the time that Christians were enjoying at that particular era. Actually, it was one of the best in their history because, ironically, under Saddam Hussein they were enjoying considerable religious freedom.”

Much has since changed for the ancient Chaldean Christian community.

Manus O’Riordan

13 Finglas Rd

Glasnevin

Dublin 11