“The advance of Isis has increased tensions between Sunnis and Shiites, increasing the sense of insecurity of Christians who have now lost faith in their future on this earth”
Taken from the Italian-Acs - “Ahlan wa sahlan. Welcome. ” The Chaldean archbishop of Mosul , Monsignor Emil Nona Shimoun (here ‘s interview with tempi.it ) warmly welcomes a woman visibly shaken and accommodate ago in what has now become his office in Tall Kayf, a village three miles north Mosul. In the night between 9 and 10 also the bishop had to abandon the second largest city in Iraq after the invasion of some areas of the country by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isis). “This woman has just arrived here on foot from Mosul – said the archbishop to a representative of Aid to the Church in Need – ran off with his son in search of salvation.”
The bishop said to ACS as the Church has welcomed all those who have fled the advance of Isis, both Muslims and Christians. “It is our faith that teaches us to help and take care of everyone, without distinction of faith.” The refugees were housed in schools and kindergartens belonging to the Church and in some abandoned houses. A Tall Kayf have reached 700 families, while at Alqosh , Christian village twenty kilometers from Mosul, 500 were accepted and 150 Muslim Christian families. ACS has supported the work of the Archdiocese of Archbishop Nona on behalf of refugees with a special contribution of € 100 thousand.
Habib, his wife and his five children were housed with other families in a copy shop to print religious texts. “We have left everything in Mosul – says the Chaldean faithful to ACN – we managed to bring only the clothes we were wearing and our documents. And now we do not know if we can ever go home. ” Another woman with four children, hopes to move to the West as soon as possible. “I know it will not be easy to rebuild their lives there, but at least I know that we will be safe. I do not want my children to grow up in fear. “
Some want to leave, others do not wish to leave their country. To unite the Christians of Iraq, however, there is uncertainty about the future that awaits them. A sentiment shared by Archbishop Nona. Today, more than three quarters of its 10 thousand faithful are fleeing. “I do not know if I will be able to come back – he says – My diocese no longer exists. Isis brought it to me away. “
In the recent Synod of the Chaldean Church, which was held in Erbil to Baghdad rather than due to the attack of Isis, the bishops have tried desperately responses to this new crisis. “The refugees are not the only emergency that we face – says Archbishop Nona – the advance of Isis has increased tensions between Sunnis and Shiites, increasing the sense of insecurity of Christians who have now lost faith in their future this earth. “
The hopes of the Church are now pinned on the Iraqi Kurdistan , the semi-autonomous province in which the beginning of the war in 2003, many Christians have sought refuge from violence. And the bishops are hoping that their faithful fled Isis can find here a new home, without leaving Iraq.
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