What do you think?
Rate this book
The Church in Iraq
The persecution of the church in Iraq is one of the great tragedies of the twenty-first century. In this short, yet sweeping account, Cardinal Filoni, the former Papal Nuncio to Iraq, shows us the people and the faith in the land of Abraham and Babylon, a region that has been home to Persians, Parthians, Byzantines, Mongols, Ottomans, and more. This is the compelling and rich history of the Christian communities in a land that was once the frontier between Rome and Persia, for centuries the crossroads of East and West for armies of invaders and merchants, and the cradle of all human civilization. Its unique cultural legacy has, in the past few years, been all but obliterated.
The Church in Iraq is both a diligent record and loving testimonial to a community that is struggling desperately to exist. Filoni guides the reader through almost two thousand years of history, telling the story of a people who trace their faith back to the Apostle Thomas. The diversity of peoples and churches is brought deftly into focus through the lens of their interactions with the papacy, but The Church in Iraq does not shy away from discussing the local political, ethnic, and theological tensions that have resulted in centuries of communion and schism. Never losing his focus on the people to whom this book is so clearly dedicated, Cardinal Filoni has produced a personal and engaging history of the relationship between Rome and the Eastern Churches. This book has much to teach its reader about the church in the near East. Perhaps its most brutal lesson is the ease with which such a depth of history and culture can be wiped away in a few short decades.
The Church in Iraq is both a diligent record and loving testimonial to a community that is struggling desperately to exist. Filoni guides the reader through almost two thousand years of history, telling the story of a people who trace their faith back to the Apostle Thomas. The diversity of peoples and churches is brought deftly into focus through the lens of their interactions with the papacy, but The Church in Iraq does not shy away from discussing the local political, ethnic, and theological tensions that have resulted in centuries of communion and schism. Never losing his focus on the people to whom this book is so clearly dedicated, Cardinal Filoni has produced a personal and engaging history of the relationship between Rome and the Eastern Churches. This book has much to teach its reader about the church in the near East. Perhaps its most brutal lesson is the ease with which such a depth of history and culture can be wiped away in a few short decades.
216 pages, Paperback
Published July 13, 2017
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
April 9, 2022
I really enjoyed the first two chapters which provided some great history of the church in Iraq. The church in Iraq, unbeknowst to most, has an ancient and rich spiritual history. The gospel first reached Iraq no later than the mid-2nd century, but possibly earlier. Tradition has it that Thomas (the doubting apostle) and two of his disciples (Addai and Mari) brought the gospel to Mesopotamia in the 1st and 2nd centuries. The author traces what we know about this history, as well as the development of the church in northern and southern Mesopotamia, including its relation to orthodoxy and later development into Nestorian tendencies, as well as its missions to the east.
The last few chapters focus in great detail on the history of the Roman Catholic church in Iraq, beginning with the Catholic missions to Iraq in the 16th century. These go into incredible detail which is only interesting to Roman Catholics, and only those Catholics who care to know the in's and out's and names and events in the Catholic history of Iraq.
For those interested in the history of Christianity in Iraq, I recommend especially the first two chapters of this book.
The last few chapters focus in great detail on the history of the Roman Catholic church in Iraq, beginning with the Catholic missions to Iraq in the 16th century. These go into incredible detail which is only interesting to Roman Catholics, and only those Catholics who care to know the in's and out's and names and events in the Catholic history of Iraq.
For those interested in the history of Christianity in Iraq, I recommend especially the first two chapters of this book.
September 11, 2017
A fascinating look at the history and current status of the various Christian Churches of Iraq, and their relationship with the Catholic Chuirch.
Largely a historical work with a very brief section on current status. Does not address issues like ISIS, substantively ending with a brief section on Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Largely a historical work with a very brief section on current status. Does not address issues like ISIS, substantively ending with a brief section on Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews