ICC Note: The archbishop of Erbil, Bashar Warda, is urging Iraqi Christians to stay in Iraq. He explains that “the Middle East needs Jesus” and that the church can have a significant role in rebuilding the country. If Christians don’t stay in the Middle East, the testimony of Jesus will disappear. Staying in Iraq, according to archbishop Warda is a sign of strength.

10/05/2016 Iraq (Christian Times): An archbishop in Iraq has appealed for Christians to stay in the Middle East, saying that they have “no choice” but to help bring about peace to the troubled region.

Bashar Warda, the Catholic Chaldean archbishop of Erbil in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, said that the Church must play a role in “rebuilding the future”, providing jobs for communities and helping people to preserve their dignity.

Archbishop Warda, who is opening the Catholic University of Erbil,told the National Review: “The Middle East needs Jesus. Christians need to stay. And not just to stay, but to live in a dignified way, and to be able to preach and to give Jesus. In the midst of all this violence, Jesus is needed.”

He continued: “A violent, troubled Middle East needs mercy. Jesus is mercy…Most of the communities that you have here — they came running from violence, from persecution, looking for a better life…Enough of wars, enough of violence, enough of all these atrocities. We have to help people live a peaceful life. There’s no other choice.”

Of the university, the archbishop added: “It’s a sign of strength. When people would destroy your churches and your monastery and try to destroy you, you have to come up with a clear message, not just in words that we are here and this is the future. It’s not just we are here, but we also have something strong here.”

…

[Full Story]