Shafaq News/ Pope Francis pens the preface to the book "The ChristianHeritage in Iraq" by German journalist and theologian Matthias Kopp,spokesperson for the German Bishops' Conference (DBK) and consultor for theDicastery for Communication. The book, published by Herder and currentlyavailable in German, traces the history of Christianity in Iraq, with a focuson Pope Francis' journey to the country in 2021 and the Holy See's diplomacy inthe region.
By Pope Francis
I recall withgratitude my Apostolic Journey to Iraq, which I undertook in March 2021—despitethe pandemic and security concerns—to express my affection and solidarity toChristians and to all people of goodwill in that country. They hold a constantand abiding place in my heart and prayers.
Despite the manychallenges Iraq faces, I look at this country with hope, as it possessesextraordinary potential. This potential lies, above all, in the people of Iraqthemselves—all those contributing to the reconstruction of civil society,promoting democracy in the country, and committing to a sincere and realisticdialogue between religions.
This is why my visitto the Grand Ayatollah of Najaf, Sayyid Ali Al-Sistani, was important andsignificant. That meeting was meant to be a message to the entire world:violence in the name of religion is an abuse of religion.
As religions, we havea duty to peace, and we must live, teach, and pass on this peace. In thiscontext, I also think of my visit to Ur, in southern Iraq, where, asrepresentatives of different religions, we spoke and prayed together—under thesame stars that our father Abraham gazed upon thousands of years ago when helooked up to the heavens.
The rich heritage ofChristianity's two thousand-year history is still largely unexploredscientifically. I think of the proto-Christian theological schools in Mesopotamia,the centuries-long peaceful coexistence between Christians and Muslims alongthe Euphrates and Tigris rivers, the various Catholic rites in the region, thestruggles among Christian denominations, the times of persecution in the early20th century, and other political reprisals—and the continuity of the Christianpresence to this day.
It is thereforegratifying that in this work by Matthias Kopp, this heritage and history areillustrated within the context of a variety of religious studies and vastliterature. The author pays particular attention to the Church's engagement inIraq and the activities of the Holy See through its diplomatic representatives,which reflect the manifold concerns of the Popes for Iraq and the Christiansliving there.
Thus, a great mosaichas been created—a tribute, as the author himself writes, to the Christians inIraq, which encourages deeper interest in their rich history and thepreservation of their heritage—for a future that, even today, is threatened byemigration and political uncertainty.
I would like toconclude by expressing my deep conviction that it is impossible to imagine Iraqwithout Christians, as they, together with other believers, contributesignificantly to the country's unique identity—a place of coexistence,tolerance, and mutual acceptance since the earliest centuries.
May Iraq and itspeople be granted the grace to make visible, in the Middle East and the world,that it is possible to live together peacefully despite all differences (1).
(1) Cf. Address to the Representatives of the ChristianChurches in Iraq, on the occasion of the first anniversary of the ApostolicJourney (February 28, 2022).
(VATICAN NEWS)
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