Erbil: In a heartfelt address during the opening ceremony of the Church Endowment Administration Conference in Erbil, Chaldean Archbishop Bashar Warda offered profound thanks to Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani for his unwavering support and advocacy for the Christian community in Iraq.

Archbishop Warda, who also serves as chairman of the board of trustees of the Catholic University of Erbil, praised Barzani’s leadership as a beacon of hope and inclusion. He described the President’s initiatives as a powerful affirmation of solidarity and deep respect for Iraq’s ancient Christian heritage—a heritage that has faced existential threats in recent decades.

Warda highlighted the vital importance of preserving Christian culture and legacy in the Kurdistan Region, describing it as not just an act of preservation, but a bridge connecting present generations to the Church's historic roots in Mesopotamia. He commended the regional government for actively safeguarding religious freedom and fostering a spirit of peaceful coexistence among diverse faith communities.

Referencing Article 43 of the Iraqi Constitution, the Archbishop noted that it guarantees religious groups the autonomy to manage their institutions. He emphasized that under Barzani’s stewardship, this constitutional promise is being honored and strengthened, allowing Christians to maintain control over their religious and cultural affairs.

President Barzani, in a previously issued statement, reaffirmed his commitment to the Christian population of the Kurdistan Region. He voiced his full backing for the advancement and implementation of legal frameworks supporting Christian endowments, declaring that such progress aligns with the inclusive spirit of Iraq’s constitution.

“Christians are not strangers in Kurdistan,” Barzani emphasized. “They are not guests. They are foundational to this land—owners, contributors, and native sons and daughters of this country.”

The conference served not only as a policy dialogue but also as a moment of reassurance for a community that has endured displacement, violence, and marginalization. With strong political and spiritual backing, the Christian population in Kurdistan is being encouraged to reclaim its rightful place in the cultural and social fabric of the region.