EWTN News and ACI MENA documentary marks 10 years since Islamic State’s invasion of Nineveh Plains

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq — In collaboration with EWTN News, ACI MENA, the Catholic news agency for the Middle East and North Africa, released a joint documentary shedding light on the suffering of Iraqi Christians. The launch event, held at the Catholic University in Erbil, Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), commemorated the 10th anniversary of the Islamic State’s (ISIS) occupation of Mosul and Nineveh Plains. It also marked the third anniversary of ACI MENA’s establishment and the fourth anniversary of Pope Francis’s historic visit to Iraq.

Chronicling a Rich History and Resilience

The documentary explores the ancient roots of Christianity in Iraq, spanning nearly 2,000 years, and the repeated efforts to eliminate its presence. Through interviews with Chorbishop Mazen Matoka, the film examines the history of Mar Behnam Monastery, a fourth-century AD heritage site destroyed by ISIS. Archbishop Bashar Matti Warda discusses the enduring “Dialogue of Life” between Christians and Muslims, as well as the agonizing choices faced by Christians during ISIS’s occupation.

Voices of Pain and Survival

Excerpts from the documentary presented at the event spotlighted the harrowing experiences of Iraqi Christians over the last decade. The screening was followed by a panel discussion featuring Archbishop Warda, Archbishop Nathanael Nizar Agyam, and Fawzi Hariri. Testimonies of Christians from Nineveh Plains revealed the trauma of ISIS’s invasion and the forced displacement that followed.

Church’s Role and Global Solidarity

Archbishop Benedictus Younan Hanno highlighted the ongoing marginalization of Christians in Iraq, while Archbishop Nathanael Nizar Agyam commended the Church and Catholic organizations for their rebuilding efforts. He emphasized the critical role of international support in ensuring the survival of Iraq’s Christian community.

Renewal Sparked by Papal Visit

Father Emmanuel Kallo reflected on the transformative impact of Pope Francis’s visit to Mosul, crediting the event as a catalyst for reconstruction and renewed hope. Chaldean Patriarch Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako expressed optimism about the future, saying the Pope’s visit reinforced the importance of building a citizenship-based state that guarantees human rights.