Amid deadly protests in Iraq, a people’s uprising in Lebanon and continued suffering in Syria, Catholic leaders of the Middle East called upon officials of their homelands to “ensure safety, peace and tranquility and stability for their citizens.”
Iraq
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
A priest is killed as ISIS revives in Syria, and deadly protests continue in Iraq
Armed groups affiliated with ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack, celebrating erroneously in a statement the killing of “two priests.”
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
Erbil’s Archbishop Warda urges protection of innocent civilians in northern Syria
Bashar Warda, C.Ss.R., the Chaldean Catholic Archbishop of Erbil in Iraqi-Kurdistan, urged all parties in the new conflict between Turkey and the Kurdish and allied militias of the Syrian Democratic Forces “to remember at all times their obligations to protect innocent civilians.”
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
Five years ago ISIS tried to wipe out the Yazidis. Have we forgotten them?
“There is no hope, no future here.”
Posted inArts & Culture, Books
The overlooked wisdom of Arab women journalists in the middle east
Zahra Hankir has compiled a collection of gripping and illuminating essays by Arab women reporters who have worked in the Middle East and North Africa. Hankir’s goal was to bring attention to “underreported tales and the women who tell them.”
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Chaldean cardinal fears Iraq could be caught in middle of a U.S.-Iran conflict
Chaldean Catholic Patriarch Cardinal Louis Sako is concerned by rising tensions between the United States and Iran, fearful that his country, Iraq, could be caught in the middle of any potential conflict. It has also made a proposed visit by Pope Francis to Iraq next year uncertain, he said.
Posted inFaith, News
How trauma healing sessions are helping Iraqi Christians recover from persecution
After enduring persecution, violence and uprooting, a group of Iraqi religious and laypeople are on the path to healing.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Iraq says it deserves more global support in rebuilding
Iraq’s sacrifices fighting the Islamic State group have earned the country greater support in its reconstruction efforts from the international community, Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi said Saturday.
Posted inFaith, News
Syriac Catholic bishops optimistic amid dispersion of their faithful
The prelates noted that Christians “are an authentic component and founder” in Syria and Iraq. They called for solidarity among all citizens to build peace, hope and unity.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Pope Francis says he wants to visit Iraq in 2020
Pope Francis has expressed a wish to visit Iraq in 2020. In discussing the turmoil in the Middle East, he condemned the hypocrisy of those who “talk peace” but foment war with arms sales and neglect to ameliorate the suffering of innocent people.