A powerful and moving documentary called “Where is our place?” has been released, covering the situation of displaced Christians in northern Iraq. Directed by the Rev. Christopher Bishop, Rector of St. Martin’s Church, Radnor, Pennsylvania, the half-hour film covers the lives of Christians who have fled the advance of Daesh/ISIS, and are now living in refugee camps. Rev Bishop visited many of the camps, and interviewed priests and lay people working there.
In 2003, there were approximately 1.5 million Christians in Iraq; estimates now range from 200,000-450,000, as Christians have fled or been killed. They have faced increasing persecution after the fall of Saddam Hussein’s regime, which allowed them comparative safety. Moreover, the negative view of the US, seen as a Christian nation, has caused a rash of retaliatory attacks against Iraqi Christians. There have been reports of bombings, abductions, torture, and murder; the archbishop of the Chaldean Catholic Church in Mosul, Paulos Faraj Rahho, was kidnapped and murdered in 2008. The Chaldean Catholic Church is the largest denomination in Iraq.
“Where is our place?” was made by the organization Stand With Iraqi Christians, which “is dedicated to providing financial, emotional, and communications support to displaced and exiled Iraqi Christians” (from their website). They are seeking donations to help with their mission.