D043 Support and Advocacy for Iraqi Christians
Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring,
That the 81st General Convention reaffirms its commitment to advocating for the protection and rights of Iraqi Christians and other persecuted minorities in Iraq, as they seek to live in harmony and security per Resolution 2018-D063; and be it further
Resolved, That Episcopal Church dioceses, congregations, and organizations work collaboratively with national and international organizations, other denominations, and government bodies to enhance visibility and encourage response to the issues faced by these vulnerable communities in Iraq; and be it further
Resolved, That Episcopal Church dioceses, congregations, and organizations partner with organizations such as Stand with Iraqi Christians, that provide economic investment for the creation of sustainable livelihoods for persecuted minorities in Iraq; and be it further
Resolved, That The Episcopal Church commend and support the ministry of St. George’s Anglican Church in Bagdad, which provides vital services of health and education for all who seek its services, regardless of religious affiliation; and be it further
Resolved, That the Office of Government Relations be instructed to monitor U.S. policy in Iraq, informing individuals and parishes on ways to engage with policies and legislation in support of sustaining Christians and other minority groups in Iraq toward a sustainable and secure future for all Iraqi citizens.
Explanation
Resolution 2018-D063 called for congregations and dioceses to work for the protection of persecuted minorities in Iraq in partnership with the Anglican Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf. Since then, the situation for Iraqi Christians and other minorities continues to be precarious, with ongoing challenges to their safety, rights, and freedoms.
The biblical city of Ur, located in Iraq, is considered the birthplace of Abraham, the father of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Iraq is home to some of the oldest continuous Christian communities on earth that still speak Aramaic, the language of Jesus. In his book, "Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years,” Diarmaid MacCulloch noted: Western Christians have forgotten that before the coming of Islam utterly transformed the situation in the eastern Mediterranean and Asia, there was a good chance that the centre of gravity of Christian faith might have moved east to Iraq rather than west to Rome.
After centuries of conflict and decades of nearly continuous war, we in the Episcopal Church should commit to participating in the creation of a more prosperous, tolerant, and peaceful Iraq through advocacy, friendship, and financial assistance.