Iraqi archbishop: We must ensure ISIS genocide is not repeated

In a conversation with the Catholic News Agency, the Chaldean Catholic archbishop of Erbil expressed his gratitude at the outpouring of support that has come their way since the ISIS genocide of 2014 while ensuring that concrete steps still need to be taken to ensure such a tragedy does not occur again. During the recent conflict; over 13,000 Christians families were displaced from their homes in Northern Iraq fleeing to the Archdiocese of Erbil. Now that the area is safe to return to, around 9,000 of these families have returned to their homes while 2600 remained in Erbil and the rest left Iraq. In looking at the long-term stability and security of the region for Christians the archbishop explained that it will take a collective effort to make sure that genocide does not happen again. This requires not simply the necessities of food, shelter and medicine being provided to those who are displaced but also making sure that stability is given to the community for the longer term through employment and educational activities. Thanking the investment provided by the international community, the Archbishop highlighted some of the steps that have been taken in recent years and are being built upon to ensure that his flock are receiving economic and educational support. These projects include building four Catholic schools, a university and hospital which have brought over 400 jobs to the community.Reflecting on the roots of the Catholic Church in the Middle East he closed with the words “we are important for the whole Catholic Church. We are not forgotten.”