CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE BASRA, Iraq - A Catholic Mass was celebrated in the Chaldean Rite by the acting bishop of Basra Aug. 8 in honor of the Soldiers serving here.
Unlike regular services held for Soldiers here, Bishop Imad Al Banna, a priest and native of Basra, spoke Aramaic, an ancient language spoken in Palestine in the time of Jesus, and still spoken in parts of Iraq.
Al Banna, who visited with Multi-National Division - South leaders in early July, led the Catholic service, hosting nearly 50 people in the small room. This was a chance for service members to have fellowship with the leader of the local church here and for the bishop to minister to them, said Chaplain (Capt.) Kevin Peek, chaplain, 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Brigade, 4th Infantry Division.
"It was a great opportunity to expose our men and women to the local Christian population of Basra Province," Peek added. Peek, an Atlanta native, said the conflicts in Iraq have taken a heavy toll on the Christian population here. Before the war began in 2003, there were a total of 1.2 million Christians in Iraq, now, six years later, that number is down to about 600,000. Christianity has come under persecution throughout these years of violence due to extremist groups targeting them. The Christian population is trying to help make peace throughout the country by helping everyone they can, he said. "I work for all people in Basra, not only Christians," said Al Banna. "Our goal is to create a peaceful coexistence among all religions." Chaplain (Lt. Col.) John Morris, MND - S chaplain, said he commends Al Banna for working through the hardships his religion has faced during the years of Operation Iraqi Freedom. "He is a great example of a good shepherd." As the service concluded, Al Banna opened himself to the crowd by offering to help with anything he could, just as he does for the people of Basra. For more than an hour after the liturgy, he sat with Soldiers sharing food and posing for pictures. He also said he was grateful to be able to be with the American Soldiers for the Mass and thanked them for what they are doing for his country. "We Catholics believe that the Last Supper was the first Mass and that every Mass that has followed is a reenactment of that first one," said Sgt. Neil McCabe, field historian, 311th Military History Detachment, MND-S. "Tonight, we heard a Mass celebrated in the same language that Jesus used in that first Mass. How cool is that?"
"I will never forget this day," said Sgt. 1st Class Jeff Ulmen, mortuary affairs noncommissioned officer, 34th Infantry Division, and resident of Madelia, Minn. "It was an incredible experience to attend a Mass conducted by an Iraqi bishop, definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity."
