The young bishop has experienced death threats from al-Qaeda, the rise of ISIS, and the return of Christians to his home region. “My dream is that young people stay in the country and become salt and light in this country. We really need them to lead our community to a better position,” says Bishop Daniel
“Our existence is in danger. Many young people only think about leaving Iraq,” bishop Mar Shimun Daniel describes the critical situation of Christian youth in Iraq. Most of the young Christians in Iraq and the Middle East lack hope and faith in the future.
Christians are a very old religious group in Iraq. After decades of war, political unrest and the brutality of ISIS, Christian youth now feel that they have no future in their homeland. But Bishop still has a dream.
An extraordinary man
Anyone who thinks bishops are old men will be surprised when they meet Bishop Daniel. At the age of 32, he is young himself, takes care of young people and seriously focuses on them in his work.
The bishop is an extraordinary man who refuses to leave his homeland, even though he has been offered very attractive positions abroad. In September 2021, he was consecrated as a bishop of the ancient Eastern Church. His role as a bishop has not changed his love for the younger generations and the spiritually wounded or traumatized.
“Most of our activities in Iraq are aimed at bringing the hope of Christ into the lives of our young people. We have trauma therapy centers, which we call Hope Centers, and we are opening more of them,» he describes.
Young people who have moved elsewhere are struggling with their Iraqi Christian identity on the one hand and with the new reality on the other. “It is difficult for them to survive in the crossfire,” says the bishop.
More young leaders
“We also offer vocational training to young people to improve their chances of finding a job in Iraq. In addition, we organize leadership trainings, that is, we equip our young leaders,” says Bishop Daniel.
During leadership training, young people learn what leadership means in relation to faith and how to become a good leader.
“One of the things we are focusing on is how to get new leaders from the younger generation into the community. They can then claim their rights, protect their community and solve or seek solutions to the many problems it faces.”
Bishop Daniel has made youth a priority in his episcopate.
“I ask all deans to focus more on youth work, to bring young people back to the church. In my opinion, young people are our present and future. If we don’t include them now, the church will have no future at all,” he pleads.
The identity crisis of the ones who have left the country
According to Bishop Daniel, young people in Iraq are comparing opportunities in Iraq and abroad.
“They have more opportunities elsewhere. That’s why we try to give them better options here. We do many of the things that the government should be doing.”
Another challenge is the life of young people who have gone abroad.
“Christians leave their homeland and forget everything when starting a new life in Western countries. Young people forget their roots and identity. They will have an identity crisis,” describes the bishop.
So what can the church offer to young people?
“The church gives them the opportunity to study in colleges and universities for free. The church is talking to officials to find employment opportunities. We are also putting pressure on them to enact laws that protect the rights of Christians in this country.”
“We [in Iraq] are fighting on the front lines instead of Western Christians. That is why it is important to pray for us, stand by us and support us financially,” says Bishop Daniel.
A new vision of the future
Working with young people does not mean immediate changes. Many years ago, while serving as a priest, Bishop Daniel started a journey with young people that was full of challenges. Although many expected quick results, he advised them to be patient.
“When I became a bishop, I began to see some fruit. Young people’s lives changed in a good way. Most of them became more responsible and devoted in their relationship with the church. They told their families and friends about it. It was very good to see greater responsibility and sustainability in young people and the fact that they had a vision,” says Bishop Daniel.
“They started sharing their vision in their community. If they believe in their vision, they can make it happen. This was one of the most important things our young people learned on this trip. I thank God that now most of them have found their vision and a way to implement it in their community.”
Help for a common fight
The Church of Iraq cannot do it all alone because its very existence is at stake. The survival of the Church depends on the Christians – brothers and sisters – in the Western countries.
“We believe that the church is one body. We are in this together. Without your help, we cannot implement programs in Hope centers, youth work and youth vocational training.”
“Thank you for the help you are giving to the Hope Centers in Iraq. With your help, we can implement programs that are important to our community.”
“I often say that we can forget our persecutors, but not our supporters,” says Bishop Daniel.
Author of text and images: Irakilainen piispa Daniel: “Unelmani on nuorten jääminen Irakiin” | Open Doors Finland
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