Catholic Church in Iraq

The Latest

Pope Francis, pictured on October 4, 2014.

Pope Francis offers support to beleaguered Christians of Syria and Iraq

Dec 11, 2020

Pope Francis urged Catholic charities Thursday to continue supporting embattled Christian minorities in Syria and Iraq.  Read more

First Communion at at St. George Chaldean Catholic Church in Telskuf, Iraq. Courtesy of Fr. Karam Shamasha.

Iraqi Christians ‘living with hope’ as stability slowly returns to Nineveh Plains

Nov 24, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

Iraqi Christians are trying to face challenges with strength and hope as they continue to rebuild their lives after the... Read more

Chaldean Catholic Cathedral of St. Joseph in Ankawa, Iraq.

Iraqi prime minister tells Christians to come home, but is it safe?

Aug 21, 2020

By Matt Hadro

The Iraqi prime minister has encouraged Christians to come home—but  Catholic leaders and aid agencies say without stability and economic... Read more

The Church of Mar Behnam and Mart Sarah in Qaraqosh, Iraq celebrates Christmas Mass Dec. 25, 2018 before the church's renovation.

‘Life after ISIS’: Christians are leaving Iraq due to ongoing security concerns

Jul 7, 2020

By Courtney Mares

More Christian families left the Nineveh Plains than returned to their hometowns last year amid ongoing security concerns in the... Read more

Turkish airforce fighter jet.

US religious freedom commission condemns Turkish airstrikes

Jun 22, 2020

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom issued a statement on Friday, calling on the Turkish military to halt... Read more

Refugee children at the Sharia Al Haman Hope Refugee Camp in Duhok, Iraq on March 28, 2015.

Iraq’s suffering will ‘rise sharply’ in wake of coronavirus, priest says

May 15, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

The number of people in need of help with basic necessities in Iraq, already in the millions, is expected to... Read more

Pope Francis during the Wednesday general audience inside the Vatican's Paul VI Hall on Feb. 12, 2020.

Pope Francis prays for Iraqis as Vatican confirms no papal visit in 2020

Feb 26, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

Speaking to pilgrims from the Middle East during his general audience address, the pope gave a special welcome to people... Read more

Isis training center in Christian church, Iraq.

Historic Iraqi church to be rebuilt

Feb 18, 2020

The rebuilding of a Syriac Catholic church in Mosul, Iraq, destroyed by ISIS will begin soon, the U.N.’s heritage agency... Read more

Archbishop Bashar Warda of Erbil.

Amid protests, Iraqi archbishop calls for 'equal rights and dignity' for Christians

Jan 30, 2020

By Matt Hadro

Iraqi Christians must take an active role in the country’s future if they want a unified, multi-religious Iraq, the Archbishop... Read more

Armenian church behind barbed wire, Baghdad, Iraq. Via Shutterstock.

Soleimani air strike could mean new danger for Iraqi Christians

Jan 3, 2020

By Christine Rousselle

Christian communities in the Middle East are likely to suffer renewed persecution in any instability following recent U.S. airstrikes, experts... Read more

Drone flying over mountains on sunset background. Via Shutterstock

Are targeted drone strikes allowed under 'just war theory'?

Jan 3, 2020

By Matt Hadro

A U.S. drone strike that killed a top Iranian official on Friday has ignited discussion of the Catholic Church’s teaching... Read more

Fr. Georges Jahola in Al-Tahira church in Bakhdida in November 2016, shortly after the town's liberation. Photo courtesy of Fr. Jahola.

Cathedral in Iraq's largest Christian town to be rebuilt in 2020

Dec 19, 2019

By Courtney Mares

The Great Al-Tahira Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Bakhdida remains charred black inside, five years after the Islamic State plundered and... Read more

Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako.

Cardinal Sako orders muted Christmas celebrations in Iraq

Dec 12, 2019

Christmas celebrations among Iraqi Christians will be subdued this year in a show of solidarity with anti-government protesters.   Read more

Father Dave Pivonka and Archbishop Bashar Warda pray together at Franciscan University, Dec. 6, 2019.

Franciscan University forms partnership with Iraqi Catholic university

Dec 10, 2019

By Perry West

A Catholic university in the U.S. has partnered with an Iraqi Catholic college to promote opportunities for scholarship, collaboration, and... Read more

Cardinal Louis Raphael I Sako, Chaldean Catholic Patriarch of Babylon and the Head of the Chaldean Catholic Church.

Iraqi cardinal pleads for help for Christians on Nineveh Plain

Dec 9, 2019

By Christine Rousselle

Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako has appealed for financial and spiritual aid for Christians in the Middle East, especially in Iraq.  Read more

An Iraqi anti-government protester waves a national flag in Baghdad on Nov. 29, 2019.

Pope Francis prays for Iraqi people after 45 killed in protests

Dec 1, 2019

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis said Sunday that he was grieved to hear of the deadly violence against protesters in Iraq and expressed... Read more

Patriarchs, cardinals, politicians, and Christians from across the globe at the International Conference on Christian Persecution

International Conference on Christian Persecution convenes in Budapest

Nov 26, 2019

By Courtney Mares

Patriarchs, cardinals, politicians, and Christians from across the globe are in Budapest this week for the International Conference on Christian... Read more

US bishops and Knights of Columbus voice solidarity with Iraq, Lebanon

Nov 15, 2019

The U.S. bishops and the Knights of Columbus have professed their solidarity with the people of Iraq and Lebanon, telling... Read more

Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square March 14, 2018.

Pope Francis prays for stability in Iraq amid deadly protests

Oct 30, 2019

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis prayed Wednesday for Iraq, where 18 more people were killed and hundreds wounded Oct. 29 during political protests... Read more

Brother Nicolas Tixier, O.P., speaks at the signing of an agreement between the UAE and UNESCO, Oct. 10, 2019.

United Arab Emirates pledges to help rebuild Catholic churches in Mosul

Oct 22, 2019

The United Arab Emirates is partnering with UNESCO to rebuild two Catholic churches in Mosul that were destroyed in 2014... Read more