Image
Father Boulos Iskander Behnam

Father Boulos Iskander Behnam

The 11 October killing in Mousel, Iraq, of a Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch priest, Father Boulos Iskander, was a "senseless crime that... neither benefits anyone nor promotes the cause of any religion".

Writing to Patriarch Ignatius Zakka I Iwas of the Syrian Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East on 17 October, WCC Commission of International Affairs (CCIA) acting director Clement John states that the WCC is "apalled by the circumstances in which the killing of an innocent servant of God was carried out," and suggests that "all Iraqis of good will" are henceforth obliged to ensure that such "such a heinous crime" be prevented from ever recurring.

Full text of the WCC/CCIA letter to the Syrian Orthodox Patriarch