The current tensions between the two powers must not escalate. Iraq
has been suffering from proxy wars for decades; they have torn
our country apart.We are a courageous people of hope. Since the defeat
of ISIS in May 2017 by the coalition forces, our archdiocese has been
working with other church leaders, Christian agencies,
humanitarian agencies, governments and NGOs to help rebuild
our fractured communities in Mosul and Nineveh Plain. It has been a
very challenging road to raise funds and international support to help
us to physically regain what we lost starting in August 2014.
The current tensions are threatening the serious fragility of
the communities, which are tired of war and the tragic consequences of
it. They have continually suffered far too much and can no longer face
an unknown future. They need the certainty, reassurance, hope and the
belief that Iraq can be a peaceful country to live in rather than
being victims and endless collateral damage.
As Church leaders we will always follow the path of God in seeking
peace, reconciliation, mutual dialogue and not conflict. His Beatitude
Cardinal Sako, Patriarch of the Chaldean Church, rightly expresses the
fears and anxieties of the people and their hope to be spared from the
damage and tragedy of war. We are united in his call to prudently
seek civilised dialogue and to pray for peace.
We seek the urgent action of the international community to use their
influence to diffuse the tensions. Our prayer is for peace and
that dialogue resulting in a just and peaceful outcome will be the path
followed.
Archbishop Bashar WARDA CSsR
Chaldean Archbishop of Erbil