By Baghdadhope
On November 6, 2008, the Baghdad headquarters of Babel College, the only Christian theological faculty in Iraq, was returned to its owner, the Chaldean Church, by the American army that occupied them since the end of March 2007.
The activities hosted by the complex - the university affiliated to the Urbaniana University of Rome, but also the Chaldean major seminary of St Peter and the Institute of Religious Sciences for the preparation of catechists - for the dangerousness of the district of Dora had been transferred in January of that year in Ankawa, in the north of the country controlled by the Kurdish Regional Government where they are still functioning. But the hope to return to Baghdad - while maintaining the institutions also in Ankawa - had never disappeared and was linked to the hope that the district of Dora could once again become a center of Christianity in Baghdad as it was in the past, for the presence of the complex of Babel College but also of churches and monasteries belonging to different Christian confessions, Catholic and not.
In March 2007, however, the path to the return to Baghdad seemed to take a blind alley. In the long corridors of Babel College, in the classrooms, in the library, in the rooms of the Seminar, even in the chapel, there were not more young seminarists, nuns, students or professors walking, but fully armed soldiers.
The Babel College had become Cop Amanche, an advanced combat outpost of the 4th Cavalry Squadron of the First Mechanized Infantry Division, the soldiers of the "Big Red One" who had the task to "pacify" the area.
But the situation in Dora was so serious that only after one month the first news on the fate of the complex became to filter. Fate that aroused the immediate grievances of the Chaldean church that had not granted its use to the U.S. army and that required its immediate return.
The time elapsed in meetings and negotiations between the two parts. In the autumn of 2007 Cop Amanche became Cop Blackfoot, and the soldiers of the Great Red One were replaced by those of the 2-2 SCR,the 2nd Squadron of the 2nd Striker Cavalry Regiment.
Now, after 19 months, the Babel College is back in the hands of Chaldean church following the new American policy to leave the control of the streets to the Iraqi army. So on November 6 the documents attesting the return of the buildings and the compensation for the damages caused to them were signed.
In March 2007, however, the path to the return to Baghdad seemed to take a blind alley. In the long corridors of Babel College, in the classrooms, in the library, in the rooms of the Seminar, even in the chapel, there were not more young seminarists, nuns, students or professors walking, but fully armed soldiers.
The Babel College had become Cop Amanche, an advanced combat outpost of the 4th Cavalry Squadron of the First Mechanized Infantry Division, the soldiers of the "Big Red One" who had the task to "pacify" the area.
But the situation in Dora was so serious that only after one month the first news on the fate of the complex became to filter. Fate that aroused the immediate grievances of the Chaldean church that had not granted its use to the U.S. army and that required its immediate return.
The time elapsed in meetings and negotiations between the two parts. In the autumn of 2007 Cop Amanche became Cop Blackfoot, and the soldiers of the Great Red One were replaced by those of the 2-2 SCR,the 2nd Squadron of the 2nd Striker Cavalry Regiment.
Now, after 19 months, the Babel College is back in the hands of Chaldean church following the new American policy to leave the control of the streets to the Iraqi army. So on November 6 the documents attesting the return of the buildings and the compensation for the damages caused to them were signed.
Baghdadhope asked to Msgr. Jacques Isaac, the rector of Babel College, to tell how the things went: "The Americans decided to leave the buildings and signed the documents that me and Msgr. Shleimun Warduni approved" recalled the bishop.
Were the buildings damaged?
"Yes. But the agreement is that the U.S. Army will restore the damaged parts and replace what was destroyed: the equipment of classrooms, for example, and the typography."
And what about the library?
"No, the library was not damaged because it has always been kept closed. Not even the chapel was damaged because, given the presence of a chaplain, it was used for what it is: a place of worship. "
"No, the library was not damaged because it has always been kept closed. Not even the chapel was damaged because, given the presence of a chaplain, it was used for what it is: a place of worship. "
Is the Chaldean church satisfied with this agreement?
"By now I would say yes, but we must wait for the works to be finished. We are still in the early stages. Just today there was a meeting between some engineers from the U.S. army and the engineer we entrusted of supervising the works. We also gave to the U.S. army a list of everything that was in the buildings before they become an operational base. In any case it will take months to begin to work there again"
Who is in charge now of the security?
"The very day that the Americans left the complex some people tried to penetrate an opening in the external wall to steal some iron left in the courtyards but were stopped by Iraqi soldiers who now stay outside the buildings. Those people tried to justify their attempt by saying that it was "American’s stuff" but the soldiers replied that it was not true, that the building and all what is inside is owned by Iraqis."
Who is in charge now of the security?
"The very day that the Americans left the complex some people tried to penetrate an opening in the external wall to steal some iron left in the courtyards but were stopped by Iraqi soldiers who now stay outside the buildings. Those people tried to justify their attempt by saying that it was "American’s stuff" but the soldiers replied that it was not true, that the building and all what is inside is owned by Iraqis."
At the beginning of October you announced that the Institute of Religious Sciences, the activities of which were first transferred to Ankawa and then suspended, was back in operation in the Church of the Sacred Heart in Baghdad and was led by Fr. Sa'ad Sirop Hanna, former director of the theological section of the Babel College. Will the Institute remain in the church or will it be moved to the Babel College complex again?
"We hope that all is in Dora - the faculty, the Institute, the seminary - could return to operate as before. But this does not mean that the sections created in Ankawa will be closed. In recent months we realized their worth in the north and we intend to keep them working also there."
When the Baghdad seats will be re-opened?
When the Baghdad seats will be re-opened?
"Besides the technical times for the renovation works we must consider the security situation that is objectively improved but still far from normal. In any case we will not stop praying and hoping that we can fix everything."
No one will ever be able to say with certainty that the transformation of Babel College in an American base was a good or bad thing. It can be argued that it could attract even more anti-Christian hatred spurred by the belief that the church and the Americans had an agreement, or rather someone can think that the American presence saved the complex from theft and vandalism - think for example of the possible patrimonial but also historical damage if the library had been looted - and that in a situation that is improving "even if very slowly" U.S. occupation will be forgotten. What is certain is that the security of the complex is now in the hands of the Iraqi army that must demonstrate to want to protect it and to know how to do it. If it will perform its duty it will give evidence of the so much displayed - but so far not implemented - will of the government to respect minorities.
In any case, after more than five and a half years since the start of the war, it is incredible that the hope is still a drive for Iraqis. That there is still someone, and among them Msgr.Isaac, who still wants to strive, to build, to think about the future. A new future for the Babel College that we all hope started on November 6 when the big green lenghts of cloth hang out among the windows to cover the courtyard and the American soldiers have been removed and the place has been invaded again, this time however by the sun.
In any case, after more than five and a half years since the start of the war, it is incredible that the hope is still a drive for Iraqis. That there is still someone, and among them Msgr.Isaac, who still wants to strive, to build, to think about the future. A new future for the Babel College that we all hope started on November 6 when the big green lenghts of cloth hang out among the windows to cover the courtyard and the American soldiers have been removed and the place has been invaded again, this time however by the sun.