Persecuted Christians in Iraq - Syria Genocide Relief and Accountability Act

Columbia Magazine, an article written by Supreme Knight Anderson, published by The Knights of Columbus:

Our Lady of Help of Persecuted Christians

Aiding Persecuted Christians:

In my opinion, the information in this article should somehow reach the main stream media rather than buried in religious magazines and on Christian websites!  

"....the road ahead for our Christian brothers and sisters is long and dangerous.  But, the Knights of Columbus will be there with prayers and support.  In fact, the Knights will work to ensure that Christianity has a future in the lands where it first flourished." - Supreme Knight Anderson

So, too, the Knights of Columbus will continue the efforts to save fellow Christians in the Middle East.

Here as well, this is not only a matter of charity. It is also a matter of unity---and it is a matter of justice.

In May, the British Government released a terrifying repot.  It concluded that persecution of Christians around the world is at "near genocide levels".

We see that clearly in the Middle East, where Christianity is now on the verge of annihilation.  Simply look at Iraq. Over the past 15 years, the Christian population there has plummeted from one and a half million to about 120,000.

When I met with Pope Francis earlier this year about this crisis, he told me that "the Middle East without Christians is not the Middle Eat," and he strongly encouraged us to continue our work.

I recently traveled to Iraq, where I saw firsthand the difficulties facing Christians there- and the difference the Knights of Columbus is making. 

Persecuted Christians in Southeast Asia, the Middle East and around the world need our continued aid and support. Therefore, we can show our solidarity by praying for our persecuted brothers and sisters.

The Knights of Columbus bring us the icon of Our Lady Help of Persecuted Christians as part of their Marian Prayer Program. Through the image, they intend to raise awareness of the plight of Christians persecuted for their faith. Moreover, the icon inspires us to stand in prayerful solidarity with them.

Since 2014, we have committed more than $25 million to help persecuted Christians and others targeted for genocide in the Middle East.  We provide food, housing, education and medical care for tens of thousands of displaced people.  I heard time and again on my trip to Iraq: "Without the Knights of Columbus, our Christian community would not have survived."  

Late last year, the Knights also played a pivotal role in the unanimous passage of the Iraq and Syria Genocide Relief and Accountability Act. That bill will provide humanitarian relief for victims of genocide in Iraq and Syria.  

Last fall, the Knights also entered into a historic Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S. Agency for International Development in a new public/private partnership to establish a greater level of support for the Christian communities in Iraq.

And, the Knights joined in an address with the State Department's Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom.

The Ministerial brought together government representatives from more than 100 nations and private sector leaders from around the world to advance religious liberty.  And, the Knights leadership in this area is widely recognized and respected.

The combination of our financial support and policy advocacy is providing relief to Iraq's Christians.  In fact, the Knights of Columbus helped the town of Karamles to rebuild after the liberation from ISIS.  Moreover, the Knights provided some $2 million, and ans one of the town's priests said, "Ninety-seven percent of the restoration of homes and church buildings came from the Knights of Columbus."

Last year, the Knights requested the delegates at the convention to appropriate $1 million to finish the McGivney House, a 140-unit apartment building for Chaldean and Syrian Christian families.  The response was tremendous.  In fact, the amount raised exceeded the goal and McGivney House is open.

What the Islamic State did was evil when, five years ago, it captured the Christian towns of Qaraqosh and Karamles.  But, it was not the last word.  Fortunately, the Knights of Columbus has helped to rebuild Karamles and they are helping to rebuild the cathedral in Qaraqosh.  Another $1 million is committed to support Syriac Christian refugees and rebuild the Syriac Cathedral in Qaraqosh, Iraq.  These refugee efforts have been organized by the Syriac Patriarch Ignatius Joseph III Younan, who is there on the fifth anniversary of the assault by ISIS.  Christians are deeply grateful for his courageous witness as he is a brother Knight and shepherd of his people.  The Knights of Columbus is proud to support Syriac Patriarch Ignatius Joseph II Younan.

Despite all the Knights of Columbus has done, Iraq's Christians sill suffer.  Now, the knights are launching a new project known as "Adopt-a-Parish."  This initiative allows councils to directly support the parishes spread across Iraq.  It requires a two-year commitment on the council's part.  Council's are called on to adopt an Iraqi parish in need.

Our fellow Christians throughout the world also need prayers.  This year, the Knights will continue the Marian Prayer Program with the icon of Our Lady of Help of Persecuted Christians.  Every Council is encouraged to bring a prayer program to their parish.

Frankly, the road ahead for our Christian brothers and sisters is long and dangerous.  But, the Knights of Columbus will be there with prayers and support.  In fact, the Knights will work to ensure that Christianity has a future in the lands where it first flourished."