Churches Take the Lead to Rebuild Community as Weary Iraqi Christians Return Home

Lindsay Elizabeth : Apr 10, 2018
Faithwire.com

Not only is the bishop working to reconstruct homes and churches, but he is also working with local businesses. Qaraqosh is slowly returning to its once lively state as shops in the center open. The civilians can now get their fruit and fresh vegetables, fresh bread, clothes, toys, and bicycles next to teahouses in the center. The city center was recently used for a Palm Sunday ceremony that garnered thousands.

[Faithwire.com] As Iraqi families return to their homes, after being driven out by ISIS over the past couple of years, they return to mass devastation. (Screengrab: The Church of the Immaculate Conception, which was burned by Islamic State militants, is seen in the town of Qaraqosh, south of Mosul, Iraq, Dec. 23, 2017/REUTERS/Ari Jalal al-Monitor)

Archbishop Yohanna Petros Mouche of the Syriac Catholic Church in Qaraqosh was the first person to return to the city and begin renovations on his home. His home was covered in fresh paint and religious symbols.

"I was the first to repair my house and move back here. We prepared this home and started celebrating religious ceremonies again to encourage people to return with their families. And when they saw it, they came too."

Over 18 months ago, the city of Qaraqosh was liberated from the ISIS regime. Although it was reclaimed then, civilians did not start returning until the schools reopened in October. Archbishop Mouche has been working tirelessly to attract Christians back to their homeland. He wants to resurrect what once was filled with life...

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