I am writing as regards my thoughts on Christians from Mosul, brutalized by the Islamic State and betrayed, in some cases, by neighbors, and nothing ? not the priest?s pleas, not his invocation of Cain and Abel ? seemed likely to heal those scars. Khalid Ramzi, a congregant, seemed to choke on the sermon. I was so sad by this event and i hope something urgent is being done as soon as possible so that this will not happen anymore.

I just read an article about the persecution of the different religious groups in Mosul due to the advance of ISIL and the violence between them and the U.S. backed Iraqi government. It's crazy to think about people's entire lives being destroyed; their homes, businesses, churches every place with any kind of significance is leveled and they have no reason to stay. I honestly don't know why the government is encouraging them to come back. There's nothing to come back to.