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Some observers, however, think Saddam Hussein's support of Christian churches is partly propaganda and partly an effort to maintain allegiance to his military regime. Despite relative freedom for Christians, the U.S. State Department designated Iraq as a "country of particular concern" for severe violations of religious freedom.

The State Department says the Iraqi regime, run by Sunni Muslims, "for decades has conducted a brutal campaign of murder, summary execution, arbitrary arrest, and protracted detention" against the majority Shi'ite Muslim population. American officials estimate that government policies have killed at least 130,000 Iraqi civilians during Saddam Hussein's 23-year rule.

Last year, the government placed all Christian clergy and property under the full control of the Ministry of Islamic Property. Sada, speaking for the Presbyterians, declined to discuss any government restrictions, citing Romans 13. "We obey the government, as the Bible has told us," Sada said. "Therefore, whatever comes from our government, we will try to handle it."

Borst acknowledged that Iraqis speak cautiously if at all about their situation. "Knowing of their government's concern with maintaining internal security, most Iraqis assume that their phone conversations and print interchanges may need to be monitored," Borst said.

Some observers fear that Iraqi Christians may become targets of opportunity for radical Muslims in the event of a U.S.-led assault on Iraq. Albert Shawo, 78, immigrated to the Chicago area with his wife in 1992. Shawo was an elder in the Assyrian Presbyterian Church in Baghdad.

"Anti-Christianity has expanded a lot," Shawo said of Iraq. "They make it public: 'We don't like you.' You hear it when they are preaching on Fridays."

Last August, three men entered the Sacred Heart of Jesus Monastery in Baghdad and beheaded 71-year-old Sister Cecilia Moshi Hanna. Some believe Islamic extremists were responsible. Inside Kurdish-controlled northern Iraq, Assyrian Christians have reported numerous attacks against people and property.

Jim Jennings heads Conscience International, an Atlanta-based humanitarian organization. "If you understand the relative position of Christians in the Middle East, it helps you understand the tolerance and even support Christians have for the government," Jennings said. "The people there are really afraid of the Muslim extremists."

In the meantime, Christian ministries are finding ways to meet well-defined needs in Iraq. The Bible Society in Lebanon, with support from its counterpart in Jordan and other organizations, distributed nearly 9,500 Bibles and 16,000 New Testaments in Iraq in 2002.

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