It was already warm early this morning when we arrived in Mosul, escorted in armored vehicles by a protection armed group. The fighting has stopped, but security has not yet been fully restored.
The Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, rebuilt thanks to the generous legacy of François K, benefactor of the Endowment Fund of SOS Chrétiens d’Orient, is now full. Cardinal Sako, Patriarch of the Chaldeans, made the trip and presided over the ceremony. Archbishop Najeeb, Chaldean Archbishop of Mosul, was also present along with several priests, sheikhs, and political authorities.
After exchanges of greetings, speeches, and thanks, the Muslim guests withdrew to make room for the celebration of the Eucharist. A true action of thanks rises from the assembly, happy to find their church again but also moved by the symbol of re-consecrating a church in the former stronghold of the Islamic State organization.
They remember their hasty departure after the takeover of Mosul in June 2014. Christians had the choice between conversion to Islam, departure, or death. In leaving, Christians had abandoned everything, searched and stripped at the city gates. They had narrowly escaped death, and in that moment of desolation, none would have imagined witnessing such a poignant event ten years later.
With the renovation of the church, an entire adjacent school complex and businesses owned by Christian families have also been rebuilt, thanks to the generous legacy of Marie C, benefactress of the Endowment Fund of SOS Chrétiens d’Orient.
The ancient Nineveh, which had escaped divine wrath following the repentance of its inhabitants struck by the preaching of the prophet Jonah, did not have the same luck this time. Reconstruction will take time, security will need to improve, and residents will need to return, but already, this rebuilt and reconsecrated church foreshadows a return to life.
