Iraq Partner Churches and Organizations

Presbyterian Church of Iraq

Newly registered (in 2000) as a national entity, this Assembly consists of heretofore five separate Presbyterian congregations: two in Baghdad (one Arabic, the other Assyrian), one each in Basrah (Arabic), Kirkuk and Musol. Despite the relatively young age of these churches, they are rooted in a deep faith tradition that extends as far back as the earliest centuries of Christianity and a civilization that gave the world the first written alphabet, the first civil, legal system, and the earliest known urban planning design, among other things.

Like the rest of the Iraqi population, families of Presbyterian church members, along with members of other churches, have endured much suffering caused by the United States–led, international economic sanctions imposed on Iraq since 1991. The sanctions, which followed the destructive "Desert Storm" war and the earlier eight-year war between Iraq and Iran, have devastated Iraqi society, including the church community. The Middle East Council of Churches, supported by international relief agencies, has worked without interruption with the churches, the Red Crescent Society of Iraq, and other civil organizations to shoulder the burden of the suffering people.

Several PC(USA) delegations, including the moderator of the 212th General Assembly, made solidarity visits to Iraq and have visited with its people, who have seemed astonishingly forgiving.