Christians in Iraq

The Latest

Cardinal Parolin: Iraqi Christians are called to be 'artisans' of reconciliation

Sep 28, 2017

By Elise Harris

During a conference on rebuilding Christian villages on the Plains of Nineveh, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin said... Read more

Iraqi Christians still need America's help, former congressman says

Aug 23, 2017

A recent trip to Iraq drove home the perilous state of Christians and Yazidis there, a former US Congressman from... Read more

A Syriac manuscript from the Monastery of St. Catherine, Mt. Sinai.

This priest preserves Iraqi culture found in historic manuscripts

Aug 9, 2017

By Hannah Brockhaus

As Iraq and surrounding areas face the destruction of many of the region’s archaeological treasures, one priest and his fellow... Read more

A center for internally displaced persons, most of whom are Christians, in Dawodiya, Iraq, April 10, 2016.

Why this bill could be crucial for Iraq's beleaguered Christians

Jun 7, 2017

By Matt Hadro

After a myriad of reports of United States humanitarian aid not reaching Christian genocide survivors in Iraq, their advocates in... Read more

In Iraq, necessity makes priests become engineers

May 27, 2017

Priests in Iraq are helping reconstruct around 13,000 homes in the Plain of Nineveh which have been damaged or destroyed... Read more

Christina Shabo holds a rosary and a scarf of the Iraqi flag.

'Have mercy on ISIS': The shocking prayer of a young Iraqi

Dec 16, 2016

By Elise Harris

Christina Shabo was born under a tree in a refugee camp after her family fled bombing in their Iraqi hometown... Read more

Archbishop Alberto Ortega Marti?n, Nuncio to Iraq.

Pope's Iraq envoy says peace stifled by lack of 'political will'

Oct 17, 2016

By Elise Harris

Archbishop Alberto Ortega, the Pope's Apostolic Nuncio in Iraq and Jordan, has said that in the midst of a drawn-out... Read more

Why Iraq wasn't what I thought

May 1, 2016

By Elise Harris

Loai Behnam Toubia pulls up his shirt, uncovering a thick, dark scar – probably 10 inches long – that tears vertically... Read more

Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York visits a displacement center in Dawodiya, Iraq on April 10, 2016.

'Astounding' – Cardinal Dolan talks about his trip to Iraq

Apr 13, 2016

By Elise Harris

As he leaves Iraqi Kurdistan, Cardinal Timothy Dolan said what struck him most during the visit were the people’s faith... Read more

Cardinal Dolan greets Iraqis in the village of Inishke before Mass on April 10, 2016.

'You are not forgotten,' Cardinal Dolan tells Iraq's Christians and Yazidis

Apr 10, 2016

By Elise Harris

On his second full day in Iraq, Cardinal Timothy Dolan traveled three hours to Dohuk, the city where the majority... Read more

Cardinal Dolan to Iraqi seminarians: You will convert the world

Apr 9, 2016

By Elise Harris

After spending his first full day in Erbil, Iraq, Cardinal Timothy Dolan gave a special message to men studying in... Read more

Students at the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena's prefab school in Ankawa, Erbil on April 7, 2016.

These Iraqi children have lost everything – except their faith

Apr 7, 2016

By Elise Harris

Six hundred Christian children whose families fled ISIS violence in 2014 have lost their homes, schools, sometimes friends, sanitary living... Read more

Sister Diana Momeka, OP appeared before the House of Foreign Affairs Committee in Washington D.C. on May 13, 2015.

Iraqi Christians have lost everything – except their faith, nun tells Congress

May 13, 2015

By Matt Hadro

Having lost their homes, their heritage and their sense of dignity, Iraqi Christians victimized by the Islamic State feel abandoned... Read more

Ankawa in Erbil Province.

Ankawa bomb attack strikes unease in refugees with nowhere else to go

Apr 18, 2015

By Elise Harris

A car bomb explosion in front of the American consulate in what is considered the safest city in Iraq has... Read more

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

Knights' collection for persecuted Iraqis passes $2 million

Sep 11, 2014

A Knights of Columbus relief fund for persecuted Iraqi refugees has now surpassed $2 million, and the order has released... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square before the Wed. general audience on April 16, 2014.

Pope Francis to Iraqi priest: I'll never leave or forget you

Sep 1, 2014

By Elise Harris

After sending a letter to Pope Francis on the plight Iraqi refugees fleeing ISIS violence, Fr. Behnam Benoka received a... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peters Square during the Wednesday general audience on Dec. 4, 2013.

Pope Francis appoints personal envoy to Iraq

Aug 8, 2014

By Elise Harris

In light of the increasingly dramatic situation of Christians in Iraq following the expansion of ISIS forces to the plain... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square during the Wednesday general audience May 28, 2014.

Pope issues urgent appeal for global help of Iraqi Christians

Aug 7, 2014

By Elise Harris

As Iraq’s largest Christian city fell into the hands of the Islamic State, Pope Francis issued an urgent appeal asking... Read more

A man leaves his car and packs his bag at the Khazair checkpoint after fleeing from Mosul, Iraq on June 11, 2014.

Catholic groups unite to help Iraqis ousted by extremists

Aug 6, 2014

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Catholic Relief Services and Caritas have agreed to a common plan to help those who have fled from their homes... Read more

A family at the Khazair checkpoint after fleeing from Mosul, Iraq on June 11, 2014.

Bishops' charge to US government: help Iraqi Christians

Jul 30, 2014

The U.S. bishops have urged the U.S. government to assist Iraqi Christian victims of persecution, while France has offered asylum... Read more