...into the Minds and Hearts of Middle East Catholics. A new documentary from St. Peter Chaldean Seminary in Iraq. A joint effort of Chaldean, Syrian, Maronite and Latin rites – all volunteers!

An Open Door is a response to the Church’s call for ecumenism and the Holy Father’s call to help Christians in the Middle East. This five part documentary provides insight into the minds and hearts of Catholics living in Iraq. Their peaceful nature and their status as a minority, too small to defend themselves, have caused Iraqi Catholics to be targeted and made victims of war after war. Due to this situation, the Christian population in Iraq has fallen from over 1.5 million to three- to four hundred thousand, and is continuing to drop.

The most important aspect of this documentary is to show Iraqi Catholics in their true light, conveying to the world that Catholics in the Middle East are neither terrorists nor refugees. They are people – individuals with a deep faith, rich heritage, and courage. Episode One covers health, with episodes on spirituality, education, contributions of Iraqi Catholics, and employment to follow.

For Catholics to to stay in Iraq, to thrive, and foster positive relations with their Muslim neighbors, and for those who have already migrated due to persecution or poverty to stay connected to their religion and roots, the global Catholic community must work together to provide the opportunities that will enable Iraqi Catholics to shed their refugee status, and become fully participating Iraqi citizens once again.

This will occur through the construction of Catholic schools and hospitals, and development of industry. This is something Iraqis long for and are ready to work for, and a gift for which Iraqi Catholics will be forever grateful to those who can help them.

Watch An Open Door