Christians in Iraq are facing uncertain times as the autonomous
region of Kurdistan votes on independence. But one bishop said that
their faith has grown stronger despite their ongoing suffering at the
hands of radicals and amid war.
"In Iraq things are never
guaranteed. Our future is in the hands of God. We pray that life will be
better than it was before. But we see that the Christians have become
stronger because of the crisis. Every crisis makes us stronger. You see
that the Church became everything for the Christians," Father Poulos, a
priest in Bashiqa, told persecution watchdog Open Doors last week.
Archbishop
Yohanna Petros Mouche commented about the Kurdistan referendum, which
took place on Monday: "It is not clear what the future will look like."
"We
have this issue between the Kurdish and Iraqi governments. We don't
know what the outcome of a referendum will mean for the Christians and
for other minorities."
While the votes have not yet been fully
counted, Iraqi Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani said on Tuesday that Kurds
had voted in favor of independence.
Reuters noted that the referendum is not recognized by the central government of Iraq, however, and is in opposition to wishes by the U.S. and its allies, given the continued instability of the region in the war against the Islamic State.
Reuters noted that the referendum is not recognized by the central government of Iraq, however, and is in opposition to wishes by the U.S. and its allies, given the continued instability of the region in the war against the Islamic State.
Turkey has even threatened to impose a blockade should Kurdish independence move forward. Barzani has remained defiant.
"We
may face hardship but we will overcome," he said in a speech, urging
world leaders "to respect the will of millions of people" who voted in
the referendum.
Barzani has clarified that the vote is not binding but will provide a
mandate for negotiations with the central government and neighboring
countries, with hopes that it will eventually lead to a peaceful
secession of the region from Iraq.
Mouche said that despite the uncertainty of the situation, he is not worried about how Kurdistan will vote.
"The
Kurdish government has respected us as Christians when we came to their
area in 2014. They welcomed us, they loved us," he said, referring to
the internally displaced Christians who have fled genocide at the hands
of IS.
As for Christians trying to return to their homes in Iraq
that have been liberated from IS control, the bishop expressed his hopes
that the Nineveh Plains could return to normal.
"For Mosul it might be different. I expect few Christians to return there at this moment."
He added that there are growing signs of hope, however, and shared a story of Muslims and Christians working together:
"Recently,
a Muslim business man came to me. He said he wanted to finance the
rebuilding of a church. That makes me optimistic. This is someone who
wants to live in peace together. I trust God that things will be
better," Mouche said.
Rudaw reported in July that a massive Christian church was recently opened in Kurdistan to give displaced Christians a place to worship.
The
Church of St. Petrous and Pols (Peter and Paul's) held its opening
ceremony after eight years of construction, and is able to sit as many
as 1,300 people, making it the largest church in the region.
