TURIN, Italy, JAN. 23, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Ten young priests in Baghdad are being offered economic and moral support by a Turin-based campaign, "I Have a New Friend."
The five-year-old program, designed by Fathers Fredo Olivero and Douglas Dawood, acknowledges the difficult situation of Iraqi Christians. It is sponsored by the Turin Archdiocese's office of ministry to migrants.
Father Olivero, director of that office, said recent attacks on Christian places of worship, "although carefully planned so that there were no deaths, are testimonies of how the life of Iraqi Christians is still very difficult and full of dangers."
The "I Have a New Friend -- a Chaldean Iraqi Priest" program has given the 10 sponsored priests economic support and also, the sponsors said, an "important moral support as testimony of a pledge that goes beyond the emergency situation."
More information about the project can be obtained by emailing
ZE08012308 - 2008-01-23