This morning Aid to the Church in Need received an urgent message from Patriarch Louis Sako in Baghdad. Overnight the largest Christian town and surrounding villages on the Niniveh Plains fell to ISIS (now Islamic State) and, as we speak, up to one hundred thousand Christians are evacuating on foot, leaving everything behind them. The Patriarch calls it ‘an exodus, a real via crucis’.
Patriarch Louis Sako says, “The ISIS militants attacked with mortars most of the villages of the plain of Niniveh, during the night of 6th-7th August and now they are controlling the area. The Christians, about one hundred thousand, horrified and panicked, fled their villages and houses [with] nothing but... the clothes on their backs. An exodus, a real via crucis, Christians are walking on foot in Iraq’s searing summer heat towards the Kurdish cities of Erbil, Duhok and Soulaymiyia, the sick, the elderly, infants and pregnant women among them. They are facing a human catastrophe and risk a real genocide. They need water, food, shelter…”
“Regarding the churches and church properties in the villages now being occupied by the ISIS militants, we have reports of destruction and desecration. The old manuscripts and documents are being burnt.”
In desperation he concludes, “We appeal with sadness and pain to the conscience of all and all people of good will and the United Nations and the European Union, to save these innocent persons from death. We hope it is not too late!”
This weekend, Aid to the Church in Need, working with the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, is calling for personal and parish prayer for the Church in Iraq.
The ACN ask that if feel you are in a position to reach out to the stricken community in Iraq, a gift - no matter how small - will assist them in their work. you can donate to their emergency aid fund here.
Let us stand by our Brethren in Iraq, that this torment, manifesting itself in this fashion ceases.
Santa Maria, Consolatrix afflictorum .... ora pro nobis!
Santa Maria, Auxilium Christianorum .... ora pro nobis!