Archbishops from Syria, Iraq address Knights of Columbus

CENTER CITY -- Religious persecution was the topic of conversation Tuesday in Center City.

The Knights of Columbus hosted Catholic Archbishops from Iraq and Syria, as part of its effort to help Christians in the Middle East, as it opened its convention.

Weeks before Pope Francis comes to Philadelphia, their focus was on the plight of Christians who are being persecuted en masse in the Middle East.

It's a prime concern of the pontiff. The Knights of Columbus are raising millions of dollars for aid to the Christians suffering at the hands of Islamic fundamentalists, especially in Syria and Iraq.

"A terrible microcosm of this phenomenon is occurring in Iraq and Syria, where Christians have been murdered and enslaved in astonishing numbers," said Carl Anderson.

The two keynote speakers here are archbishops - one from Syria, the other from Iraq. Major figures in Christian sects there date back to the first century, but members, they say, are catching pure hell in their ancient homelands.

"We have seen people killed, slaughtered, a woman violated, priests and bishops kidnapped," said Archbishop Jean-Clement Jeanbart from Syria.

"During the history, the Americans have been well-known that they are always with the persecuted people wherever they are," said Archbishop Bashir Matti Warda of Iraq.

The Knights say they are responding to the pleas of the Holy Father, having already delivered $3 million in aid to the persecuted Christians.

Coming out of the convention, the Knights of Columbus will launch a national TV campaign to draw greater attention to the plight of the Christians in the Middle East.

They'll be doing it with the blessing of Pope Francis.