Bishops visit Iraq refugees

Three belgian bishops visited Christian and Yezidi refugees in northern Iraq from 17 to 21 September to show support for the embattled communities, writes Tom Heneghan.

Bishops Guy Harpigny of Tournai, Jozef De Kesel of Bruges and Leon Lemmens, auxiliary of Mechelen-Brussels, were the first Belgian prelates to visit the area and highlight the need for religious diversity. They were invited by Chaldean Patriarch Louis Raphael I Sako and Archbishop of Erbil, Bashar Matti Warda.