Harrison Township, MI – Congresswoman Candice Miller (MI-10) today released the following statement expressing her condolences on the horrific murders that took place in Baghdad, Iraq during a Chaldean Catholic church service on Sunday, holding the congregation hostage, killing two priests and dozens of parishioners, and wounding many in a terror attack:

“My heartfelt condolences and sympathy go out to the congregation of Our Lady of Salvation Syriac Catholic Church in Baghdad, Iraq who were victims of a senseless attack during worship services on Sunday. Violence has plagued many religious and ethnic minority groups in Iraq for years, but Iraq’s Christian minority has particularly suffered. It is my firm belief that religious freedom is a universal right. Within Iraq’s own constitution religion and freedom of thought are given strong protections. It is time for the leaders of Iraq to put those words into action and better safeguard religious minorities and their places of worship. We in America must also continue to send our strong condemnation of these senseless acts of religious violence and do everything we can to assist the Iraqi government to better prepare their own security forces so horrific acts of terror such as what happened in Iraq on Sunday never happen again. Southeast Michigan is home to the largest Chaldean community in the United States and many of them came to America because of religious persecution and in search of religious freedom. I join with them to send our thoughts and prayers to the families of the victims of these senseless acts.”

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