by Suhaila Salim Toma e Wisam Marqus Odeesho

Suhaila Salim Toma and Wisam Marqus Odeesho are a couple involved in family pastoral work in Baghdad’s Saint George’s Parish. They tell Synod Fathers about Islamic State violence, the ongoing conflict and the constant threat of hunger. They call for "actions and prayers." They say that such challenges "strengthen the faith of our families, who have lost everything but have started to know the Lord Jesus more deeply."

Vatican City (AsiaNews) – Suhaila Salim Toma and Wisam Marqus Odeesho are an Iraqi couple involved in the pastoral ministry to the family in the Chaldean Parish of Saint George (Mar Gewergis) in Baghdad. They spoke at the Ordinary Synod on the Family about war, Islamic State terrorism, and the persecution that "did not destroy the faith of Christian families in Iraq”. In fact, the latter “started to know the Lord Jesus more deeply from such hardships”. Calling on Synod Fathers to offer “action and prayers”, they reiterated their will to continue to bear witness to Christ despite everything. Their full text to the Synod follows.

The Peace of Christ be with you.

It’s our great honour to stand here before you to represent the Fighting Iraqi Christian Family, aware that we are not worthy to receive such honour, because certainly there are hundreds of Iraqi Christian families who are considered as significant examples for us in testifying to the name of Christ, faith, patience and fortitude.

We are one of the Christian families who live in Baghdad since the sixties of the last century. We grew up and learnt in its schools and universities along with our brothers in humanity and homeland of other religions. We also participated in the defence of our country in time of adversity and presented hundreds of martyrs.

We were surprised of the fierce assault carried out by Daesh which targeted all Iraqi people and hit the Christian presence. Thus, in overnight, the Christians of Nineveh plain found themselves on the roadside; leaving their homes, jobs, memories, possessions, schools and, simply everything.

The new experience of (losing guarantees) was very harsh. Only the words of our Lord Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew 5:10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” condole us and relieve our wounds; thus we started to hear testimonies of some displaced families giving their experience, saying that “Despite the suffering and harshness of displacement, but getting closer to the church helped us a lot and we started to feel that our faith is getting strength and matures, we also started to share in spiritual activities”. While other displaced families from Qaraqosh and other cities of Nineveh plain gave testimony that “Today, through the catechesis of the New Catechumenal Way that helped us a lot; we started to know Christ more deeply and this comforts us for what we have lost in our cities”.

Today the challenges are still continued, through the events of kidnapping, bombing, robbery and terror. But in spite of this situation there are still many families who are committed to their land and church, giving testimony to their faith with realizing that this persecution will bring a lot of good for the Church of Christ as it did for the early church in spreading the good news.

Asking you to support us with your prayers and actions; finishing with a text of St. Peter’s First Letter:

“Beloved, do not be surprised that a trial by fire is occurring among you, as if something strange were happening to you. But rejoice to the extent that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is revealed you may also rejoice exultantly. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you” (4:12-14).

• iraq
• vatican
• daesh
• witnesses