Resources
Iraqi Armenians: Minority on the Brink of Extinction
Author: Saman Dawood
Publication Date: 15/6/2021
Source: Daraj
Having lived in Iraq for many centuries, today only 7,000 to 20,000 Armenians remain. They struggle for better political representation and recognition of the 2015 Armenian Genocide. “My spiritual homeland is Iraq more than Armenia,” said Krikor Hagopian, who stems from an Armenian family that immigrated to Iraq following the 1915 Armenian Genocide.
Chaldean Patriarch Sako: "The road to church unity is not easy"
Publication Date: 10/6/2021
Source: Agenzia Fides
The path to restore full unity between Churches and ecclesial communities "is not as easy as some imagine", said Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako, Chaldean Patriarch of Babylon. In a statement published by the official channels of the Patriarchate, the Iraqi Cardinal admits that the question of restoring full sacramental unity among the baptized is a "complex question".
How long must Christians wait before church bells ring in Saudi Arabia?
Author: Rami Dabbas
Publication Date: 6/6/2021
Source: Christian Today
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is distinguished by the fact that it is considered the destination of all Muslims globally, and a leader of the Islamic world.
It is not surprising, therefore, that church bells do not ring in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and that Christians - even foreign ones - cannot practise their religious rituals openly.
Iraqi Christians serve community with dialogue
Author: Gerald Butt
Publication Date: 4/6/2021
Source: Church Times
For those looking on at the carnage in Iraq over the past two decades, it is a wonder that the country has survived. Invasion and war led to high numbers of civilian deaths and injuries, mass population displacements, poverty, security collapse, and political chaos. Then came the Covid-19 pandemic. For the minority Christian community in Iraq, add to this list persecution in the wake of the 2014 Islamic State (IS) surge — and issues arising from proselytising by some church groups from abroad.
A Moment of Fraternity: Recalling Pope Francis’ visit to Iraq
Author: Christopher Wells
Publication Date: 3/6/2021
Source: Vatican News
The Higher Committee for Human Fraternity hosted the webinar on “A Moment of Human Fraternity: The impact of Pope Francis’ historic Iraq visit” on Thursday.
The event brought together religious and civic leaders from throughout the Middle East to share their insights on the significance of the Pope’s Apostolic Journey to Iraq, and offer their thoughts on the next steps in rebuilding Iraq, and how the country can promote stabilization, reconciliation, and hope for a better future.
Vatican summit a ‘source of hope’ for Lebanese Christians
Author: Inés San Martín
Publication Date: 3/6/2021
Source: CRUX
Catholic charities in Lebanon are applauding Pope Francis decision to invite the country’s Christian leaders to the Vatican on July 1 to pray for peace and stability in the country.
Francis invites Lebanon’s Christian leaders to Vatican to discuss country’s crisis
Author: Inés San Martín
Publication Date: 31/5/2021
Source: CRUX
On July 1st, Pope Francis will welcome the main Christian leaders of Lebanon to address what he described as the “worrying” crisis the country is going through.
Pope invites Lebanese Christians to Vatican for peace prayer
Author: Nicole Winfield
Publication Date: 30/5/2021
Source: AP
Pope Francis has invited representatives of Lebanon’s Christian community to the Vatican on July 1 for a day of prayer and reflection “about the worrisome situation in the country.”
