Iraqi Church Leaders Emphasize Unity as Key to Preserving Christianity

Mar Gewargis III, Catholicos-Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East in Iraq, emphasized the importance of unity among Christian churches in the region as a means of preserving Christianity in the Middle East. He stated that all church leaders urge their followers to remain close to the Church and their pastors, fostering a unity in spirit and collaboration between different denominations.

Gewargis, elected in 2015, is currently in Rome for a two-day meeting with the joint-commission for relations between the Catholic Church and the Assyrian Church of the East. The commission meets annually in obedience to Christ, aiming to achieve unity as described in John 17. The Vatican’s 2001 ruling allowing inter-communion between the Catholic Church and the Assyrian Church of the East in certain circumstances has been a significant step in this effort.

The Assyrian Church of the East, part of an eastern branch of Syriac Christianity, has been working alongside other Christian communities in Iraq to address the challenges facing their congregations. Gewargis plans to meet Pope Francis to provide an update on the situation of Christians in Iraq and discuss how the Holy See and the international community can support them.

Unity among Christian rites in Iraq has become a priority as the Christian population continues to decline. This decline is attributed to factors such as economic hardship, political instability, and persecution by extremist groups like ISIS. The number of Christians in the Middle East has decreased by about 20 percent, with Christians making up only four percent of the region’s population.

The Assyrian Church of the East, along with other Christian churches in Iraq, is committed to maintaining their presence and influence in the region. Their efforts include fostering collaboration and mutual support among different denominations, which they believe is essential for the survival of Christianity in the Middle East.

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