A Custody delegation visited Iraq in the days of the Episcopal ordination of the new Syrian Catholic bishop of Mosul, a country scarred by the drama of the Islamic State. The visit to Baghdad Cathedral, theatre of the 2010 massacre. The statue of Our Lady in Basra, where Muslims also stop to pray.

Br IBRAHIM FALTAS, ofm
Vicar Custody of the Holy Land
It was truly was a dream. It was a pilgrimage for us, a delegation on pilgrimage. The first time in the history of the Custody.

7 days, 7 cities visited, almost 1000 kilometers traveled. A small delegation of 4 friars from the Custody of the Holy Land, led by Brother Ibrahim Faltas, Vicar, retraced the ancient roads of the land of Abraham.

Qaraqosh, Ur of the Chaldees, Baghdad, but not only… A pilgrimage to Iraq that, thanks to an invitation to participate in an episcopal ordination, took them to the land where Abraham met God.

Br IBRAHIM FALTAS, ofm
Vicar Custody of the Holy Land
We started our pilgrimage first in Baghdad where we met with Card., Qaraqosh… when I heard about all of them, the Christians, especially from 2014 to 2017 when Isis came and they had to leave everything, to see all those houses, the people happy, that they came back after 3 years… I couldn’t believe it.

There are still many signs of the destruction brought by Isis, in Qaraqosh as in Mosul.

Br IBRAHIM FALTAS, ofm
Vicar Custody of the Holy Land
It did so much damage: ancient monasteries destroyed … they were afraid of the cross! Then in Mosul, a beautiful city, so much destruction … a destroyed city. We went to Ur, the land of Abraham. It was a dream for me to go there. And that’s where we felt that our pilgrimage had reached its climax. Truly a beautiful pilgrimage.

The joy, the faith of the people and the meeting made this trip special.

Sister EBTISAM HABIB

Franciscan Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

We have this kindergarten and the visit of our friars made our children happy, they saw their smiles and received their caresses. A grace for us. We thank Father Ibrahim and the Custody for this act of charity towards us. Their visit gave us hope and solidarity.

Br IBRAHIM FALTAS, ofm

Vicar Custody of the Holy Land

People have faith. This what I have seen. People want to be there, they want to live there, and I hope that one day everyone can go back to their country.

 

by: custodia