BAGHDAD (AP) - An Assyrian Orthodox priest was shot to death Saturday by gunmen using silencers as the Christian cleric and his wife returned home after a trip to the market in Baghdad.
The latest attack against Iraq's Christian minority drew a new plea from Pope Benedict XVI for Iraqis to "find the way of peace to build a just and tolerant society."
Father Youssef Adel, 47, had tried to escape the sectarian violence, fleeing the predominantly Sunni neighborhood of Dora at a time when insurgents were burning down churches and uprooting Christians from their homes on threat of death.
He moved with his wife, Lamia, to a relatively safe area in the mostly Shiite central district of Karradah and presided over services at the nearby St. Peter and Paul church, according to an assistant who spoke on condition of anonymity because of security concerns.
But in a tragic example of the dangers that continue to face Iraqis despite a sharp drop in violence, Adel was shot to death by gunmen near the gate of his house, another priest in the same church said, also declining to be identified for fear of becoming a target himself.
The gunmen used silencers, and his wife who was with him did not realize what happened until she saw her husband collapse, the priest said.
Neighbors and members of the congregation wept as they flocked to Adel's house to pay their condolences to his wife. The funeral was scheduled for Sunday.
"Everybody is shocked," said Matti Zaki, a fellow priest who was among the mourners. "The sadness is everywhere in the house. I cannot find the suitable words to express the ordeal the family is going through."
Christians have frequently been caught up in the violence or been targeted in this predominantly Muslim country.
The body of Archbishop Paulos Faraj Rahho, one of Iraq's most senior Chaldean Catholic clerics, was found on March 13, about two weeks after he was seized by gunmen in the volatile northwestern city of Mosul.
Adel's assistant said the priest, who was married but had no children, directed a religiously mixed school for Muslims and Christians at the church.
Adel, an engineer who became a priest about six years ago, was described as a compassionate man who preached about love and peace, and was heavily involved in helping orphans and widows and other charities.
"We never expected today's ugly killing because the assassinated priest has no enemies at all," Archbishop Severius Hawa said.
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Needless to say that it is appalling to see the cowardice of these Islamist terrorist in Iraq.
Attacking Christian priest because their imam and uztadz say they are US recon is dhumb.
Our deepest heartfelt condolences to the family of Father Youssef Adel and the people of Iraq
God bless him and may he rest in peace.
Islam is a religion of hate and evil, if Muslims are offended by these words, then prove them wrong. Pray for this family, and for the Muslims who are under the slavery and oppression of Islam.