The process of reconciliation in Iraq should be in the hands of lay people rather than religious leaders, according to the former Syriac Catholic bishop of Mosul.
Bishop Basilios Georges Casmoussa, who was born in Qaraqosh, the largest Christian city in Iraq, explained that following the defeat of Islamic State (IS) the region has seen an increase in inter-religious groups. “Now, in fact, there are some young groups, composed of Christians and Muslims, which meet together to study the new basis for living together,” he said, speaking in Fátima where he was taking part in the International Reunion of the Teams of Our Lady, a movement for married Catholic couples.
“This task must be taken up by lay people, not by religious leaders. Religious leaders, through history, have always been bad at appealing for union, because each one focused on his own particular religion. But lay people have more of a feel for the atmosphere of life,” he continued.
Bishop Georges highlighted the importance of forgiveness for reconciliation. But for Christians who lost everything, including loved ones, during the reign of IS, forgiveness is more difficult, although necessary.
“If you don’t forgive, you don’t solve the problem,” he said. “We are citizens of the same country, and for our sake, and for that of our children, we have to stay together, to live in respect and in comprehension
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