Bishop Kevin Farrell

The Chief Shepherd of the Catholic Diocese of Dallas

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What Everybody Should Know About Christians in Iraq

August 25, 2014 By Bishop Kevin J. Farrell

What Everybody Should Know About Christians in Iraq

For some, the presence of Christians in Iraq is a surprise. Our image of Iraq is that it is an Arab nation and Arab equals Muslim. Of course, that is not the case. All Arabs are not Muslims and, conversely, all Muslims are not Arabs. Indonesia, with the world’s largest Muslim population, is not an Arab nation.

Christianity was born in the Middle East. Iraq, together with Iran, are part of Mesopotamia, and Christians have been present in the area since the mid-second century. Paulist Father Ronald. Roberson in his book, The Eastern Christian Churches, notes that in the third century the area was conquered by a Persian dynasty that perdured until the seventh century and was known as the Sassanid Empire. The Christianity that developed there became known simply as “the Church of the East.”

In the fifth century the Church of the East gravitated toward the Christology of Nestorius that was condemned at the Council of Ephesus. Nestorians were declared heretics and banned from the Roman Empire and many fled east to the safety of the Sassanians. The Church of the East, which became known as the Assyrian Church of the East, increasingly separated itself from the orthodox churches. Other Christian groups deemed heretical also sought refuge among the Persians.

While they remained a minority among the principally Zoroastrian Persians, the eastern churches flourished and cities such as Mosul, Basra, Kirkuk and Tikrit became thriving Christian centers. All of that changed with the coming of Islam. The eastern churches, while tolerated, were hobbled by Islam and became but remnants. Nonetheless, they continued to exist throughout the area until the present time alongside Eastern Catholic (Uniate) churches and their Muslim neighbors.

Radicalization of some Muslim groups in Iraq, Syria and Egypt has resulted in the harassment and persecution of eastern Christians culminating with the forceful removal of all Christians (and others) from Mosul and other ancient Christian areas by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.

We must indeed pray for our suffering brothers and sisters in the Middle East, Christians and others, and pray for the strength to endure the tribulations that have come upon them. You may provide aid to them through Catholic Relief Services at http://emergencies.crs.org/iraq-crs-response-strategy-during-displacement-crisis/

Image Credit: CNS photo/Rodi Said, Reuters

Filed Under: In the News Tagged With: Christians, Iraq, Middle East, Persecution

Disunity in Christ’s Body

June 25, 2013 By Bishop Kevin J. Farrell

Pope Francis in his Wednesday catechesis addressed the disunity among Catholics reminding us that selfishness and division in the Church is not only affecting the communion and unity of the Body of Christ, it is an obstacle to the unity of all Christians.

Speaking extemporaneously the Holy Father said: “How much damage is caused to the Church by divisions among Christians, by being apart, by narrow interests! The divisions among us,” he continued, “but also the divisions between the communities: evangelical Christians, Orthodox Christians, Catholic Christians, why are we divided? We must try to bring unity. … We must pray together as Catholics and also with other Christians, must pray that the Lord grant us unity, unity between us. But how will we have unity among Christians if we aren’t capable of having it among us Catholics, of having it in our family? How many families fight and are divided! Seek unity, the unity that makes the Church. Unity comes from Jesus Christ. He sends us the Holy Spirit to create unity.”

It is so easy to forget that the Church is the Body of Christ and not simply an organization that can be shaped to suit the preferences of the members. The problem is not a new one.  St. Paul addressed the issue in his letter to the Corinthians (1 Cor. 11:17ff) when divisions among Christians even disrupted the Lord’s Supper.

In his remarks the Pope observed “Unity is always greater than conflict. Conflicts, if they aren’t resolved well, separate us from one another, separate us from God. Conflict can help us grow but it can also divide us. Let’s not take the path of division and struggle between one another. All unite; all unite with our differences but always united: this is Jesus’ path.”

Let us remember the words of Pope John XXIII in the encyclical Ad Petri Cathedram, “Unity in necessary things; liberty in doubtful things; charity in all things.”

Filed Under: Being Catholic Tagged With: Christians, En Español, Jesus Christ, Pope Francis, Pope John XXIII, Unity

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About Bishop Farrell

Bishop Kevin Joseph Farrell was appointed Seventh Bishop of Dallas on March 6, 2007 by Pope Benedict XVI.
   
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