Chai Brady
Archbishop Bashar Warda of Erbil, Iraq 
EXCLUSIVE
An Iraqi prelate who trained for the priesthood in Ireland has said that the historic visit of Pope Francis is a reminder to the world that the tiny Church there is still a beacon of hope despite the challenges.
Archbishop Bashar Matti Warda told The Irish Catholic that he hopes the visit will inspire a new generation since young Iraqi Christians were instrumental in organising the Pontiff’s trip.
“I said it in my final thanks to His Holiness: ‘You told us that we are not forgotten, persecuted but not forgotten’”, Archbishop Warda told this newspaper speaking from Erbil where the Pope met local Christians.
He said that he believes the Pope’s humble example will give local Christians the impetus they need to continue rebuilding after the horrors of Islamic State.
“Sometimes people – even when it comes to NGOs – are tired because there is so much help needed, but the presence of the Christians made it clear to the people who were helping and are still helping that their help is making a difference.
“Still we have Christians here, despite all the difficulties, because you have cared a lot for the Christians – so still we have Christians.
“I think yes we are not forgotten, the visit showed that quite clearly,” he said.
Speaking of the influence of young Iraqi Christians on the papal trip, Archbishop Warda – a Redemptorist who trained in Dundalk, Co. Louth – said: “Believe me, what I’ve seen over the last month from the young people was really a miracle.
“We are not really specialists or experts in organising big events. We don’t have organisational companies; we have done it ourselves. We have learned in the spirit of joy and hospitality how to prepare for this.”
Archbishop Warda said the general feeling in Iraq was that it was “an historical moment” as “the world is seeing images different than they’re used to seeing from Iraq. There is no war, no violence, no sectarian conflicts, no political disputes, it’s images of people shouting, dancing, praying”.
So far, about 11,000 Christian families have been resettled with the main priority being rebuilding homes as well as churches in Iraq by global charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN).
ACN Ireland Director, Dr Michael Kinsella, described the organisation as “emboldened” and “encouraged” by the Pope’s trip to Iraq, which saw the pontiff pray at many of the sites destroyed by Islamic State.
“The reality is that what has been rebuilt is still very small and still very fragile,” Dr Kinsella said, continuing, “the work has only begun”.
