In June of 2014, Christians from the Nineveh plains received a message like this one. ISIS gave them two options: convert to Islam or leave their land within 24 hours. They all chose to leave instead of renouncing their faith.
While information about the developing situation was still arriving in Rome, the pope launched an initial message.
POPE FRANCIS
Angelus - June 29, 201
I am close to the thousands of families, especially Christian, who have had to flee their homes and who are in grave danger.
The pope used harsher words nearly four weeks later, as Christians flocked out of Mosul and the surrounding towns.
POPE FRANCIS
July 20, 2014
Our brothers and sisters are persecuted. They are driven out. They have to leave their homes without the opportunity to take anything with them. To these families and to these people I would like to express my closeness and my constant prayer.
As the world watched in disbelief at the events unfolding in the Nineveh plains, the pope sent yet another powerful message two weeks later. In it he addressed ISIS terrorists directly.
POPE FRANCIS
August 10, 2014
The news from Iraq leaves us incredulous and alarmed: thousands of people, many Christians among them, are being driven from their homes in a brutal way; children are dying of thirst and hunger while fleeing; women abducted; people massacred; every type of violence; destruction everywhere; destruction of houses, of religious, historic and cultural heritage. Yet all of this grievously offends God and grievously offends humanity. Hatred is not borne in the name of God! War is not waged in the name of God!
On that occasion he asked the international community to take action, leading by example.
First, he sent Card. Fernando Filoni to the region as his personal representative, to gather information about the situation.
He also wrote a letter to Ban Ki-moon, then UN secretary general, asking him to take action and reminding him that
“the tragic experiences of the 20th century, and the most basic understanding of human dignity, compels the international community, particularly through the norms and mechanisms of international law, to do all that it can to stop and to prevent further systematic violence against ethnic and religious minorities.”
Meanwhile in Rome, he thanked persecuted Christians for their faith and mercy throughout their predicament.
POPE FRANCIS
September 3, 2014
You are in the heart of the Church. The Church suffers with you and the Church is proud of you. It's proud to have sons and daughters like you.
The message is similar to the one he wants to communicate now, in person, during his upcoming trip to Iraq.
Pope Francis will visit Qaraqosh and Mosul. Half of those driven out from these cities have already found the courage to return.
He will celebrate Mass in Erbil, for those who chose to start a new life in this region.
For all of them, the pope’s challenging proposal will be to forgive and start fresh in unity.
JMB
