Iraqi Bishop Holds Catholic Mass at Contingency Operating Base Adder

Photo By Matthew Jones | Acting Bishop of Basra Imad Al Banna holds a Catholic Mass at Contingency Operating Base Adder, Iraq, Nov. 7. Al Banna also had lunch with troops and civilians and was given a Liberty Bell statuette by the 28th Combat Air Brigade, Pennsylvania National Guard.  

TALLIL, IRAQ

11.07.2009

Story by Sgt. Matthew Jones 

28th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq — The acting bishop of Basra held Catholic Mass, Nov. 7, in honor of the service members and civilians working toward a safer, more secure Iraq.

Al Banna began his sermon with a message of peaceful co-existence.

"Peace can be achieved only by respecting other people's opinions," said Al Banna. "All nations who respect themselves take care of all of their citizens. Nations must also learn from each other and work together to achieve peace."

Bishop Imad Al Banna, a Chaldean priest, spoke Aramaic, an ancient language spoken in Palestine 2,000 years ago and still spoken in parts of Iraq to this day.

Addressing the men and women in the congregation serving in the military, Al Banna extended his praise and gratitude.

"I would like to say thank you to every person who is assisting and helping," said Al Banna. "You have come overseas so we can have a government that can take care of its citizens."

Al Banna, who is officially recognized by the Roman Catholic Church as acting bishop of Basra, said he is concerned with all citizens, not only Christians.

"I try, from my religious position, to help all people of southern Iraq," he said. "The church is very open and has services to help all people."

Spc. Eric Jackson, a chaplain assistant in the 28th Combat Aviation Brigade, Pennsylvania National Guard, especially appreciated the Bishop's message.

"I really like what he had to say. He is a very humble man," said Jackson, an Altoona, Pa., native. "If you don't have humility, you don't have God."

Spc. Brian Vasquez, an avionics system repairman in the 628th Aviation Support Battalion, 28th CAB, was among the non-Catholics who attended the Mass.

"I heard about it a few weeks ago," said Vasquez, a Plainfield, N.J., native. "It was kind of a historical event. I was really looking forward to it."

Following the service, Al Banna took time to greet people as they filed by him, many exchanging hugs and kisses. With a warm smile, he even posed for pictures.

Al Banna also had lunch with dozens of troops and citizens and was given a Liberty Bell statuette by the leaders of the 28th CAB.

• Date Taken: 11.07.2009
• Date Posted: 11.16.2009 02:08
• Story ID: 41621
• Location: TALLIL, IQ