Iraq church gives hope for christians after IS atrocities

Iraqi Christians rejoiced as they witnessed the ceremonial reopening of a Chaldean Catholic Church in Mosul on Friday, marking a symbolic triumph over the legacy of jihadist oppression. The church, named Um al-Mauna or “Our Lady of Perpetual Help,” had been converted into a religious police office by militants during their reign of terror.

Approximately 300 devout congregants convened for the inaugural mass in the refurbished 80-year-old church, offering prayers and capturing the historic moment with their mobile phones. Among them was 74-year-old Ilham Abdullah, a former school director, who expressed profound anticipation for this day, echoing the collective hope for the restoration of normalcy in Mosul, the historic capital of Nineveh province and once a vibrant center of cultural diversity.

Prior to the onslaught of the Islamic State group (IS) in 2014, Mosul stood as a testament to coexistence, boasting a rich tapestry of mosques, churches, shrines, and tombs. However, the brutal incursion of IS militants precipitated a mass exodus of Christians from the Nineveh province, as they faced dire ultimatums of conversion, taxation, or execution.

Abdel Masih Selim, a 75-year-old retired banker who had sought refuge in Erbil during the IS occupation, expressed a profound sense of rejuvenation upon returning to Mosul for the mass. He reflected on the anguish of forced abandonment and desecration endured by Chaldeans under the oppressive rule of IS, underscoring the emotional significance of reclaiming their sacred space.

The liberation of Mosul by the US-backed Iraqi army in 2017 marked a turning point, albeit one marred by the scars of jihadist vandalism. Today, the restored Um al-Mauna stands as a beacon of hope, its red-painted domes adorned with crucifixes, a testament to the enduring spirit of resilience and faith.

Despite the formidable challenges that lie ahead, including the slow pace of reconstruction and the lingering trauma of displacement, Patriarch Raphael Sako of the Chaldean Catholic Church reaffirmed the steadfast commitment of Iraq’s Christian community to their homeland. In his address during the inauguration, he resolutely proclaimed, “This is our country and our land. We are here to stay even if there aren’t many of us left,” encapsulating the enduring resilience of Iraq’s Christian minority amidst adversity.