The Knights plan to help move hundreds of Christian families and others from minority religious communities in Iraq back to the homes from which they were forced to flee due to ISIS in 2014.
The Knights cite similar action by Hungary’s government which donated $2 million to save the predominately-Christian town of Teleskov, saying that “about 1,000 families have now moved back to that town, providing a proof of concept that shows that such actions can actually work in restoring pre-ISIS populations to their home and towns.”
The Archdiocese of Erbil, which currently has the largest population of Christian refugees in Iraq, will partner with the Knights in a resettlement and rebuilding effort.
“The terrorists desecrated churches and graves and looted and destroyed homes,” Knights CEO Carl Anderson said during his annual report at the Knights of Columbus 135th annual convention. “Now we will ensure that hundreds of Christian families driven from their homes can return to these two locations and help to ensure a pluralistic future for Iraq.”
The Knights are asking their councils, parishes, and others who want to help to donate $2,000 – which is the approximate cost of one family’s resettlement.
Knights CEO Carl Anderson also announced Tuesday that the group will partner with the U.S Conference of Catholic Bishops on a “Week of Awareness” for persecuted Christians beginning Nov. 26.
The Knights of Columbus Christian Refugee Relief Fund has donated more than $13 million for humanitarian aid to Iraq, Syria and the surrounding region.
The Knights’ genocide report, which detailed ISIS’ atrocities against Middle East Christians, helped lead to Secretary of State John Kerry’s 2016 genocide declarationfor Christians and other religious minorities in the region. The designation was reaffirmed by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson last week.
