IWKnights’ Adopted Chaldean Catholic Church Parish in Iraq

Since the explosion of ISIS across Iraq in 2014, Christians in the Middle East live in uncertainty and instability. While hundreds of thousands of Christians were forced to flee Iraq when ISIS was driven out in 2018, the Catholics who stayed and those who returned are rebuilding, critical to the survival of Christianity in Iraq. That’s why our Council decided to adopt a parish in the Middle East.

Our adopted parish is Assumption of Mary Chaldean Catholic Church in Baghdad, Iraq.

By adopting a Parish in the Middle East, our Council joins other Councils to be an instrument of resilience as communities rebuild. We will share more information about our adopted parish. Please join the effort to support these Catholics and have an ongoing relationship with the parish of Assumption of Mary in Baghdad, Iraq.

This archdiocese has been devastated by the Gulf War, the War in Iraq, and most recently by ISIS. In 1990, the Archdiocese of Baghdad had a population of 481,000 Catholics with 24 diocesan priests supporting 30 parishes. 25 years later, in 2015 the archdiocese of Baghdad was reduced to 150,000 Catholics, 19 priests and 18 parishes.  In addition to the ongoing support of specific Catholic parishes, the Knights of Columbus continues its work contributing toward the rebuilding efforts of Christian towns.

For example, in Batnaya, home of St. Qyraqos Chaldean Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus Supreme Council is funding the restoration a Christian cemetery that was destroyed by ISIS.

We have been asked to meet a pledge of $2500 in two years. Our council has already donated $1000 from our charitable giving funds in 2019-20.

For our adopted parish, we are appealing to our parish for their prayers and direct support of the Assumption of Mary parish in Baghdad. Our Chaldean Catholic brethren in Baghdad would appreciate our help and prayers while on the verge of civil war. More information on the Knights of Columbus support to persecuted Christians can be found at christiansatrisk.org.

Please provide your prayers and support for our adopted parish and all the Christians in the Middle East.