杏MAP导航

By Thaddeus Jones & Sr. Bernadette Mary Reis, fsp 

杏MAP导航 Francis will be visiting the Christian communities throughout Iraq, and especially the large ones in the north of the country. The Archdiocese of Erbil hosts the largest community of displaced Iraqi Christians. The communities have ancient roots going back almost two thousand years. They have suffered enormously during the years of war and occupation.

Since 2003, 鈥渢he Church has been responsible for providing medical support, education, food, and being a voice for the persecuted Christians鈥�, Archbishop Warda said in a telephone interview with Vatican News ahead of the 杏MAP导航's arrival. The country is struggling with an economic crisis made dramatically worse by the pandemic. At the same time, he says 鈥渢he pastor should always be there, he is the shepherd鈥� helping everyone with their survival needs that often go beyond pastoral and spiritual. That is why he also encourages the Iraqi diaspora and Christians worldwide to assist the Church in Iraq in any way to get through the current social and health emergencies, apart from rebuilding after decades of war.

Encouragement and hope

The visit of 杏MAP导航 Francis, as universal shepherd, will bring encouragement in the region for Christians who have suffered greatly together with the entire population of Iraq. 鈥淲e are really delighted and excited that the Eucharist will be celebrated in Erbil where we will join His Holiness praying to God to bless our country鈥�, Archbishop Warda underscores, also to support efforts seeking 鈥渞econciliation and peaceful coexistence among all Iraqis.鈥�

He believes the papal visit give all people in Iraq a morale boost and show something that does not make the headlines 鈥� a diverse multi-cultural and multi-religious people struggling to pick up the pieces and live together in harmony despite the frequent setbacks. The 杏MAP导航 is coming to say 鈥測ou are all brothers, and I am also your brother鈥� he says. Archbishop Warda hopes this positive message will be heard locally and globally, and for once shine out above the tragic daily news reports on attacks, bombings, persecution and violence afflicting the nation.

Fraternity

鈥淭his time hopefully the message will be one about fraternity, that we are all God鈥檚 children鈥�, he hopes, as will be highlighted in the visit on Saturday to Ur of the Chaldeans. Born in the southern Iraqi town of Ur, the Old Testament patriarch Abraham is recognized as the father of faith in one God by Jews, Christians, and Muslims. 鈥淲e are the children of Abraham鈥�, Archbishop Ward says, even with 鈥渢he different roads the sons of Abraham took in accepting God鈥檚 invitation鈥� to trust and faith.

Archbishop Warda concludes with an appeal: 鈥淚 would ask you all to pray for His Holiness and his visit鈥� and that it may be joyful occasion together 鈥渨ith all the people of Iraq鈥�and make this visit a blessing for all the people he will encounter.鈥�