Catholic Church in Iraq

The Latest

Syrian refugees.

Those who've stayed – what now for Christians in Syria and Iraq?

Nov 5, 2015

By Elise Harris, Kevin J. Jones

War in Iraq and Syria have taken a heavy toll on the Chaldean Christians of the Middle East. Now Chaldean... Read more

Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, caliph of the Islamic State.

Dialogue with the Islamic State? Not likely, says Cardinal Parolin

Oct 29, 2015

By Elise Harris

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, said that while interreligious dialogue is important, it’s not likely possible with... Read more

A young child at the Sharia Refugee Camp in Dohuk Iraq.

To welcome refugees is a witness of the resurrection, Pope says

Aug 6, 2015

By Elise Harris

On the first anniversary of the arrival of Iraqi refugees in Jordan, Pope Francis sent a letter thanking the country... Read more

Jean-Clement Jeanbart, Melkite Archbishop of Aleppo, speaks at the KoC Conference in Philadelphia, while Bashar Warda, Chaldean Archbishop of Erbil, looks on, Aug. 4, 2015.

If you won't help our people stay, help them leave - Catholic bishops from the Middle East

Aug 5, 2015

By Mary Farrow

Catholic archbishops from Iraq and Syria said Tuesday that while they hope to help their people stay in the Middle... Read more

A young refugee rests after having fled from ISIS.

A year after ISIS invasion, religious minorities in Mosul could disappear

Jun 9, 2015

By Adelaide Mena

One year after ISIS invaded Mosul, the Iraqi city’s diverse religious heritage is on the verge of extinction, warned a... Read more

Iraqi nun's visa denial raises questions for US State Department

May 8, 2015

By Kevin J. Jones

Sister Diana Momeka, a Catholic nun from Iraq, intended to visit the U.S. to talk about the persecution of religious... Read more

Refugee children at the Sharia Al Haman Hope Refugee Camp in Duhok, Iraq 2 on March 28, 2015.

Facing uncertain future, Iraqi refugees sacrifice for education

May 5, 2015

Less than a mile away from the local coffee shops, fancy restaurants, and the U.S. Consulate in Erbil, the capital... Read more

Refugee children at a refugee camp in Duhok, Iraq on March 28, 2015.

Fighting ISIS with a school – Iraqi bishop says education is needed for change

Apr 21, 2015

Bishop Bashar Matti Warda is the bishop of Erbil, Iraq, one of the dioceses most attacked by ISIS, and where... Read more

Sister Suhama in Alqosh, Iraq in April 2015.

With Iraqi Christians besieged, these are the priests and nuns who choose to stay

Apr 15, 2015

By Oliver Maksan

“At night we often hear gunfire,” says Father Steven, a priest in Alqosh, Iraq.  Read more

Seminarian Roni Marzina Momica with a group of children outside an Aid to the Church in Need office. Photo Courtesy of Roni Marzina Momica.

Bomb attack, ISIS invasion can't dampen faith of Iraqi seminarian

Apr 8, 2015

By Elise Harris

Roni Marzina Momica has seen it all: a victim of a 2010 bus attack and among those forced to leave... Read more

Msgr. Segundo Tejado Munoz, undersecretary of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum, with refugee children in Iraq, March 28, 2015.

How the Holy See is using diplomacy to aid Christians in the Middle East

Apr 8, 2015

In the face of increased persecution of Christians in the Middle East, the Holy See's diplomatic arm is developing a... Read more

Pope Francis at the General Audience on March 18, 2015.

Pope Francis sends rosaries, Easter cakes to Iraqi Christians

Apr 7, 2015

The Solemn Easter Vigil in Erbil, Iraq, concluded in a spirit of joyful celebration with the distribution of dove-shaped Easter... Read more

Shelan Jibrael (far right) stands with a group of refugees in Erbil, Iraq.

One Christian woman's quest to care for the forgotten Yazidis in Iraq

Apr 6, 2015

Shelan Jibrael’s office is located in the Iraqi city of Erbil, where tens of thousands of Iraqi Christians displaced by... Read more

Piece of Colomba cake.

A sweet sign of hope: Pope's envoy returns to Iraq with Easter cake

Mar 29, 2015

By Elise Harris

Pope Francis' personal envoy to Iraq will return to the country during Holy Week, bringing with him the pontiff's love... Read more

 A young child at the Sharia Refugee Camp in Dohuk, Iraq.

Pope's delegation offers comfort, communion to Iraqi refugees

Mar 28, 2015

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Hoping to awaken the world conscience on Iraq, a Pontifical delegation traveled to Erbil and Dohuk to foster local communion... Read more

Refugees who have fled from ISIS and arrived in Ankawa, in the northern part of Erbil, Iraq.

Enough talk about talking – Iraqi priest calls for action on ISIS

Feb 12, 2015

By Elise Harris

An Iraqi priest currently living in Rome said that those living the nightmare of ISIS are tired of hearing talk... Read more

An Iraqi Christian refugee at a church shelter in Jordan, Oct. 28, 2014.

Can Christians survive the 'dirty games' of Middle East politics?

Jan 30, 2015

By Kevin J. Jones

Christians have lived in the Middle East since the time of the apostles, but political machinations by world powers and... Read more

Christian refugees in Mar Elia parish centre in the Christian neighbourhood of Ankawa in Erbil, Iraq.

Among Christian refugees in Kurdistan, 'no one is angry at God'

Jan 11, 2015

By Oliver Maksan

“Thank you, thank you, thank you:” Suheila, an elderly Christian woman from Mosul was effusive in expressing her gratitude to... Read more

Christian refugees from Iraq and Syria in Jordan.

In Jordan, Church works to assist refugees, protect youth from extremism

Jan 8, 2015

For years the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan has been a haven for refugees from Iraq. However, a critical limit is... Read more

Maan George Hanna, an Iraqi Christian refugee at a church shelter in Jordan.

Iraqi Christians say there's no going home after rise of Islamic State

Jan 7, 2015

By Kevin J. Jones

Christians lived in Iraq for nearly two thousand years, but the violent rise of the Islamic State has convinced many... Read more