Iraq reabre prime minister 2 historical Catholic churches in Mosul

In the city of Mosul, Iraq, an official celebration was held on Monday, September 1 to commemorate the reopening of the churches of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception known as the Al-Tahera Church (for Syrian Catholics) and Our Lady of the Hour (within the Dominican Monastery), after its complete restoration.

The event was attended by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia ‘Al-Sudani, several government officials and representatives of the organizations that supported the reconstruction.

Speaking in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Al-Sudani said “this church rises among the rubble to represent the house where the Lord brings together the hearts of people without division or hostility, in a coexistence as old as Iraq itself”; And he stressed that reopening is a return to the “spirit of Mosul and the brotherhood that unites its people.”

Mons. Benedictus Younan Hanno, Bishop of Mosul and its surroundings for Syrian Catholics, urged the prime minister to extend the same care shown towards the Iraqi heritage to “rebuild the Christian people.”

“The inhabitants of Nineveh,” he said, “need their care and attention, and someone who listens to their clamor, especially their sons and daughters of the Christian community.”

Mons. Hanno said that about 80% of Iraq Christians today “suffer violations and denial of their rights,” and many are forced to exile.

“The Iraqi Christians emigrated by obligation, leaving their homeland in tears and pain, and they are still waiting to return, yearning to see Iraq again as a beautiful country, capable of welcoming their Christian children with their brothers from other communities,” he said.

After the speeches, Hanno, Al-Sudani and others sounded the church bell and planted an olive tree in their patio as a symbol of peace. The prime minister then went to the Dominican monastery to reopen the Church of Our Lady of the Hour.

Destruction and restoration

The churches of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception and Our Lady of the Hour, along with the great Al-Nuri mosque and its famous inclined mine, all located in the old city of Mosul, suffered extensive destruction during the occupation of the city by the terrorist group Islamic State (ISIS) between 2014 and 2017.

After liberation, UNESCO undertook the restoration of these monuments as part of their initiative “revive the spirit of Mosul”, rebuilding them according to their original designs.

This initiative was funded by the United Arab Emirates (EAU) and the European Union (EU).

Translated and adapted by the ACI Press team. Taken from the English version of the National Catholic Register. Originally published in Arabic in Aci mena.