Iraq Bishops to Discuss Government Plan for Christian Return

The Assyrian Church of the East and the Chaldean Catholic Church, along with other Christian denominations in Iraq, are preparing to evaluate a government initiative aimed at encouraging the return of Christian families displaced by jihadist violence. The Assembly of the Catholic Bishops of Iraq is set to convene in Ankawa next month to discuss the plan, following recent discussions between Chaldean Catholic Patriarch Paul III Nona and Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi.

The meeting brings together representatives from the Chaldean, Syriac Catholic, Armenian Catholic, and Melkite Churches, as well as a representative of Iraq’s small Roman Catholic community. Prime Minister Al-Zaidi has emphasized the return of Christians as a national priority, pledging government support for returnees, including access to a residential land project covering one million plots.

Iraq’s Christian population, once estimated at 1.5 million in 2000, has declined by at least 80 percent to fewer than 300,000 since the 2003 US-led invasion and the subsequent attacks by Daesh (ISIS) on Mosul and the Nineveh Plains. The Prime Minister has committed to providing practical assistance to returnees, including immediate eligibility for the land programme and all necessary facilities.

Chaldean Archbishop Bashar Warda, who attended the meeting with the Prime Minister, stated that the issue will be addressed during the bishops’ conference in August. He noted that the Prime Minister has encouraged Christians in the diaspora to return and invest in Iraq, particularly in health and education, citing trust in the quality of services provided by the community.

Archbishop Warda highlighted the Prime Minister’s familiarity with the Christian community, noting that he has “lived among Christians” and values their contributions to education and healthcare. The Prime Minister has expressed confidence in the community’s ability to contribute to Iraq’s development.

Christian denominations in Iraq operate 18 educational institutions, including the Catholic University in Erbil, which is supported by Aid to the Church in Need. The government’s initiative reflects a broader effort to restore national unity and social cohesion by welcoming back displaced communities.

Source: Read the original report