NEAR MOSUL: CHRISTIANS RETURNING

Today, we visited a small town named Teleskof which is about 20 miles from Mosul--an Iraqi city which ISIS attacked and took over in 2014.  Mosul is a city of 3,500,000 people--the second largest city in Iraq.

Iraqi forces have regained the northern and eastern sections of the city, and have trapped the ISIS fighters in the western region.  It is hoped that within some weeks the ISIS fighters will have been fully eliminated from Mosul.  However, at a great price.  Hundreds of thousands of Mosul residents have fled from their city, and known now as displaced persons, are in many camps scattered all over northern Iraq.

But after almost three years of ISIS occupation, Mosul will need incredible assistance to allow its residents to return.  All of the infrastructure has been destroyed and needs to be either upgraded or replaced:  electricity, water, sanitation services, security protection, health services, schools, and the like.  It will be an enormous task to restore Mosul to pre-2014 days.

A house hit bit suicide bombers

Teleskof is a Christian town about 18 miles from Mosul, and it had about 1,400 families--nearly 10,000 people.  All fled in face of ISIS, and left their town empty and vacant.

However, some 200 families have returned to Teleskof and are beginning to rebuild their homes and town.  This photo shows a house blown up by suicide bombers.  While most houses were not bombed or shot up with weapons, they were damaged in other ways.  Some neighboring Arab villagers came in and looted the homes of the Christians.

A part of the town hit by bombs

This Christian town was a hub of trade, small workshops, food processing, and government services.  But some bombed areas will require massive amount of reconstruction to return to normal.
 Some of the leaders of the group have returned and have begun to reestablish their town.

A family which returned to their home

We visited one house where the family has returned, and they are so glad to be home.  The concept of "home" is a universal gift and priority for all of us.

Inside the towns Catholic Church

The Christian Church was not damaged, and the priest comes twice a month for Mass.  However, he is planning to return to the town full-time and to encourage other members of the community to return as well.  Some of the local leaders are seen in this photo.






We then met at the offices of Caritas Iraq with a group of women from Teleskof who were living away from their town, and who were engaged in discussions about their past situation and their future.  They were outspoken in their desire to return home, but adamant about certain conditions being met:  there must be adequate security to assure them that no further violence would come to their town; the basic services would have to be restored--water, electricity, health clinics, and schools; and that some type of assurance that neighboring Arab towns would not create new problems for them.  CRS continues to support Caritas Iraq and they serve many people jointly.

A vast displaced persons camp

On the way back to Erbil we passed a very large camp for displaced persons.

Young people playing volleyball in the camp

[For more information on the wonderful work of CRS, visit:   www.crs.org ]

IRAQ "UNFINISHED" HOUSES

There is a unique phenomenon in Iraq which occurred following the USA invasion of Iraq.  Since the economy was beginning to improve, there was an enormous splurge of new houses all across Iraq--literally, hundreds of thousands of them.

These houses were built from concrete and are very sturdy and structurally sound.  The intent of the owners was to make them two or three floors high in order to accommodate possibly more than one family.

And then came the Great Recession, and the rapid decline in the price of oil--one of Iraq's few natural resources.  All of a sudden the country is littered with all of these unfinished houses.  They are everywhere.

When ISIS began overtaking northwest Iraq, many thousands of families fled away from those zones of fighting and persecution.  Christians in particular were targeted and had to run for their lives.

Although most displaced persons began in camps, gradually ways were found to locate them in more permanent housing.  And one of those resources was the use of these unfinished houses.  CRS began working with the owners of the empty shells of houses, and arranged a contract whereby an Iraqi family could move into one of these houses.

A sample unfinished house in Iraq

The role of CRS became to add some of the missing items:  especially exterior doors and windows.  PVC material was used to fabricate inexpensive but sturdy doors and windows for these homes, and CRS had people install them.

Then, inexpensive interior doors were added to create privacy in the house, especially when there were two or three families living in one house.

A family inside their restored unfinished house

Electrical power, water, and sanitary facilities were added for the comfort of the families.

Most of the new residents were able to remain for two years, but as those contracts end, many will be able to extend their stay.  These houses offer a dignified place for families to stay--away from the extreme winter and summer temperatures.

Even the family's sheep and lambs live on the lower level of the house.



These unfinished structures are found all over Iraq, often financed by the wealthy Gulf States when the economy was robust in Iraq.  After the world-wide recession, these buildings now stand idle waiting for a future when they can be finished and occupied.  A few examples south of Erbil.

This program is being extended by CRS all across Iraq, and thousands of displaced families will be able to find a more permanent solution to being homeless.

[For more information on the wonderful work of CRS, visit:   www.crs.org ]

IRAQ DISPLACED PERSONS

In Erbil, Iraq now.  All of the persons on the move here are internal displaced persons, primarily Christians who have had to flee in face of ISIS assaults and their taking over large cities and towns, such as Mosul.  Erbil is about 225 miles north of Baghdad, and in the region controlled by the Kurds--called Kurdistan.

When ISIS started its aggressive assault in the northern part of Iraq, Christians began fleeing at once.  For a Christian to remain in their homes they would have to agree to pay a regular "fee" to remain, and would be subject to many harsh restrictions.  Almost all fled.

Some 13,000 families came to Erbil--a total of some 90,000 people.  They simply just showed up, and created an enormous humanitarian challenge.  This challenge was met at once by the Chaldean Archbishop of Erbil, Archbishop Bashar Warda--a dynamic man who quickly mobilized the Catholic community to help respond.  They at once opened camps and engaged the broader Catholic community to assist.  The response was overwhelming by the Church since the government was helpless to assume this burden of so many displaced persons.

Gradually the Archdiocese began finding permanent housing for these families, and today there are very few living in temporary quarters scattered all around Erbil.  It was surely one of the most amazing responses by the Church to such a challenge.

The Archdiocese opened 14 schools for the children, and 8,000 children are in those schools.

The view here is that ISIS will be defeated as an organized military fighting group, but that their ideology will continue to spread all around the world.  That is the greater threat by far.  The political problems in Iraq are huge, and the Iranian influence is very problematic.  The strong influence of the USA us needed to change dramatically the political deadlock in Baghdad.

At every turn CRS has been present with staff and funding.  The Archbishop reached out to many groups for assistance, and one of the most generous was the Knights of Columbus from the United States.  They have given over $5 million so far.

Children in front of painting of the alphabet

We drove north from Erbil and stopped along the way to visit a CRS school which assists internally displaced people [IDP], almost all from Mosul where ISIS had created so much murder and plunder.

Several more photos from our visit to this school are shown below.  When asked what they want to be when they grow up, many students respond a teacher--because the most important people for them, the ones who have helped them the most, are teachers.  Most are young, energetic, and relate well to the children.

Archbishop Silvano Tomasi and I visit the various classrooms.  They are very curious about Americans, and they are most grateful to the Catholic Church, CRS, and Caritas Iraq for all of the assistance they have been receiving.

JORDAN REFUGEES & MIGRANTS

Today we are in Jordan which is a small country wedged between Israel, Syria, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia.  Jordan has received many refugees over the years, especially the Palestinians from 1948 when the state of Israel was created and the Palestinians had no place to go.

Jordan has been so welcoming of refugees and migrants, and takes positive steps to assist them while they are here.

Caritas Jordan and CRS are the key providers of so many services to these displaced peoples.

We began the day with a visit to Naour where we celebrated Mass with Iraqi refugees from Mosul and the Nineveh Plains.  Iraqi refugees do not have the freedoms that refugees from Syria have.  Especially difficult:  Iraqis are not able to get work permits.

On the grounds of the Church is the Our Lady of Peace Livelihood Center--an innovative approach to help these Iraqis obtain dignity, self-worth, and the ability to earn a living.  People, especially men with a family, cannot just sit around all day.  They need to work and to contribute to their families and the community.  The joy and feeling of being needed shines in their faces.  They truly enjoy "going to work"!

At this Center men recycle wooden pallets, the large circular wheels used to roll wire, and other items.  Various furniture items emerge and they sell them to the people of Amman.  Some examples:

Creating a table from an oak tree rooto

Also, the women use olive oil produced on their farm at the Church to make and sell a high quality soap--with many different scents.

Women making and selling olive oil soap 

Other women are involved with sewing--creating women's handbags and a variety of products that can be used in the home.

Handbags made by the refugees

Still others are becoming expert at making mosaics.  Jordan is famous for its mosaics over the centuries, and many ancient mosaics still exist.  They make many custom mosaics on special order for many people in and around Amman.

Large mosaic being made

Some of the men are working on a very large mosaic, and they estimate it will take over three months to finish it.  It will then be cut into sections and shipped to its final location.  They will re-assemble it and it will be a magnificent and large mosaic.

All of these jobs teach the refugees skills which they can eventually use as future occupations when they are able to return to their land of Iraq or wherever they eventually settle.

We then journeyed to Mount Nebo where Moses was allowed to view the Promised Land, but not to lead his people into it.  The Book of Deuteronomy:  "Then Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo....and the Lord showed him all the land.....The Lord then said to him, "...I have let you feast your eyes upon it, but you shall not cross over."  So there, in the land of Moab, Moses, the servant of the Lord, died as the Lord had said, and he was buried in the ravine opposite Beth Peor...." [Dt 34:1-7]

An ancient mosaic uncovered

Church of Mt. Nebo Restored

Children with their artwork

We then drove back to Amman and visited one of the Caritas Jordan's education centers where Syrian and Iraqi refugee children are educated.  Special emphasis is given to assist them deal with the horrific traumas they have witnessed and experienced in their countries as they fled the violence and persecution.  Often, the children are encouraged to draw pictures about their hopes and dreams, as well as their fears.  This opens up the opportunity to begin to talk about what they have been through and bring closure to some parts of it.  A long process, indeed.

Eager to learn in their new land

Incredible joy in spite of all they endured

[For more information on the wonderful work of CRS, visit:   www.crs.org ]

LEBANON MIGRANTS Day Three

Today was our final day in Beirut, and it was a privilege to celebrate the English Mass in the Church at the University of St. Joseph.  This historic university goes back many years, and has emerged as one of the leading universities in all of Lebanon.

The large Church was filled with mostly Filipino migrants, men and women who work on contract for employers in the greater Beirut area.  Most are involved in domestic work.  The positive thing is that these migrants are free to come to Church on Sunday, and free to gather with other Filipinos.  There is a great spirit of unity and fellowship among all of them.

Sunday Mass in the Church

The photo shows Archbishop Silvano Tomasi and I celebrating the Sunday Mass.  There was enthusiastic singing by all, and a great spirit of joy.

Since the Filipinos are such fine Catholics, their faith gathers them and renews the bonds among them.

A great joy to be with them!


After Mass, we greeted everyone.  And as always happens with Filipinos, many cell phones and cameras emerged to take photos!

Hospitality is so important for Filipino peoples around the world, and they are anxious to greet priests everywhere.  And, of course, many photos!

Afterward we joined them for a delightful Filipino food lunch, including all of the Filipino favorites.  It reminded me so much of Los Angeles being with them--so warm, friendly, kind and hospitable.

We then proceeded to the Beirut Airport to fly to Amman, Jordan, for the second phase of our journey.

[For more information on the wonderful work of CRS, visit:   www.crs.org ]

LEBANON MIGRANTS: Day Two

Today our focus was on a huge problem around the world:  human trafficking.  Refugees are people who are fleeing wars, violence, oppression, hunger, and persecution.  The Middle East is filled with these people.

But there is another large group of people on the move and in dire conditions:  the victims of human trafficking.  Although this problem exists world-wide, we are experiencing it here in Lebanon.  The victims are people who have been brought to a country based on the promise of getting a job and living in service to others.  In most cases, these are young women hired to serve as domestic help for a family.

Technically, they have been employed under the protection of certain laws and regulations:  safe travel to the country where the work is located, a just monthly salary, room and board, clothing,
and other necessities.

But in practice, too many of these domestic help are taken advantage of, physically and even sexually abused, and kept as virtual captives in the homes where they work.  Often the employer takes their passport and other papers which might assist the person to leave.

Many receive far less than promised, and in general, their salary is based totally on how white their skins is.  We met women from Ethiopia who are dark, and they were given $150 per month; others from the Philippines who are lighter, might get $400.  The sole criteria:  how light their skin.

Many of these women flee from abusive homes and find themselves on the streets--alone and helpless.  The Lebanese government operates a Retention Center for such migrants, to which they are sent until their case can be sorted out and until they can arrange to go home.

One big catch:  the government provides very little money for the operation of the Retention Center. Instead, Caritas of Lebanon has stepped in and provides virtually everything for these people:  clothing, bedding, medical care, legal advocates, social workers, even basic food.  Caritas is the heart and soul of the Church's presence for these migrants caught up in the evil of human trafficking.

There are no photos of these migrants since the government allows no photos in the Retention Center.

We next visited a Safe House, also operated by Caritas Lebanon, which is located on the top floor of a building owned by the Church.  Here, exploited and abused women are free to come and to find a welcoming place.  Even though many are referred to the Safe House by the government, the location of the House is kept secret.

We were privileged to meet a large number of women desperate to escape the misery, lies, and manipulation which they experienced.

A group of women gathered for Mass with us.

The women sometimes give birth while at the House, and the baby is welcomed and cared for.  Counseling services are a high priority since the women have been traumatized by so much exploitation and disrespect.  They are truly fragile.

We then traveled to Oak Shelter, a third center which accepts women who have been heavily abused by their husbands in every possible manner.  Many have small children with them.  They have fled situations in which their lives were at danger, and were desperate to escape the trauma.

Psychological work with these victims is a high priority.  Since many of these women are migrants and not refugees, the range of other services available to them is limited.

Complicating their situations is that separation and divorce are handled by Religious Courts, usually following Sharia law, not civil laws.  Their choices are greatly limited by those Courts.

Once again, the presence and services of CRS and Caritas Lebanon are the only such services for women caught up in this manner of abuse.

[For more information on the wonderful work of CRS, visit:   www.crs.org ]

LEBANON REFUGEES: Day One

Our first day in Lebanon took us to the Beqaa Valley in northern Lebanon where our Catholic Relief Service [CRS] guides, Davide Bernocchi and Sean Kenney,  Brought us to witness some of the activities of CRS and Caritas Lebanon to assist refugees who have fled the endless conflicts in Syria and have cross over the mountains into Lebanon.

This young man sang an Arabic song.

Children in classrooms are classic.

Journeying with me is Archbishop Silvano Tomasi who is a special Secretary in the new Dicastery for  Promoting Integral Human Development.

After school snack time!

First stop:  a unique school operated by the Good Shepherd Sisters.  The Sisters have a small school in which they take Syrian refugee children and help them with a variety of services, including hygiene practises, basic education, and various programs to assist them with their precarious living situation.  Some photos of these children are shown here:

Children love to have their pictures taken!

Childish antics are universal!

Our next stop was to visit a nearby camp where many refugee families have lived for some four years, ever since the armed conflict in Syrian began.  The people live in small tent-like structures, many family members per tent. Most long to return to their homes in Syria when the terrible war in Syria ends.  We met refugees from Aleppo, Homs, and other cities and towns spread across the country.

CRS and Caritas Lebanon offer many services to assist the families and children.  Sadly, families from rural Syria do not value education since their lives are centered on farming and each family member is needed to help with all the farm jobs.

Syrian Refugee family

Some photos from this camp:

Children enjoying play time

Isaac, age 21, opens a store in the camp demonstrating again human ingenuity!

Continue to pray for all refugees and people forced from their homes by war, conflict, hunger, and persecution.  Only Jesus, the Prince of Peace, can bring an end to so much displacement and suffering.




[For more information on the work of CRS, visit:  www.crs.org ]