March27 , 2023

    Iraqi Christians ‘close to extinction’ —Archbishop

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    The Archbishop of Irbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan, warned that Christianity in Iraq is nearing extinction following the persecution of religious minorities.

    Rt. Rev. Bashar Warda revealed that from 1.5 million Christians, Iraq is now left with just 250,000 believers, reports BBC. In a speech in London recently, the cleric said, “Christianity in Iraq, one of the oldest, if not the oldest Church in the world, is perilously close to extinction. Those of us who remain must be ready to face martyrdom.”

    Christianity in Iraq, one of the oldest, if not the oldest Church in the world, is perilously close to extinction. Those of us who remain must be ready to face martyrdom. —Rt. Rev. Bashar Warda, Archbishop of Irbil

    He said Christianity in Iraq has been tormented for 1,400 years, with the Islamic State (IS) as its latest tyrant that displaced over 125,000 Christians since 2014.

    “Our tormentors confiscated our present while seeking to wipe out our history and destroy our future. In Iraq, there is no redress for those who have lost p