special visitor
special visitor Bishop’s Turkey trip goes well BY VANESSA DENHA GARMO Visit chaldeannews.com When Bishop Francis visited displaced Christian Iraqis now living in Turkey, he was welcomed with open arms and loud cheers. “I don’t think Bishop Francis has ever heard the ‘halhole’ as loud as he did when he arrived in Turkey and visited with the many families all over the country,” said Shokie Konja, a member of the Bishop’s advocacy committee who traveled with him on the trip. “So many of these people have not celebrated mass or had clergy visit them in months or years. They were so happy to see our Bishop.” Upon returning, the men drafted an update of the trip as they continue to work with members of the community, government officials and others to assist with the needs of the displaced Christians now living in Turkey. All the refugees, whether from Syria or Iraq, are seen as guests of the country and prior to the ISIS invasion, there were more Syrian refugees in Turkey than Iraqi refugees. When they arrived, the government gave the Iraqi refugees these options: If they are looking to Turkey to host them only so that they can go to a third country, then they are given international protection. If they wish to go back to Iraq, then they are allowed to stay and Turkey will assist them in returning. If they wish to stay in Turkey as their final destination, then they are allowed to receive residency. They must declare it. “The majority of the people have applied to go to a third country,” said Konja. There is an increased number of applications for the international permits. The government of Turkey has recognized that there are a large amount of those who wish to interview with the UN but cannot do it in Ankara because of their difficult situations. Therefore, they are making available registrations in more places. Since February, the Turkish government agreed to accept anyone who is registered and to provide them with free health insurance. Each person who came to Turkey and was registered before this date must register again. This gives everyone the right to health insurance. Those who apply for international protection can apply for work permits after six months. Those who apply for residency can apply for work permits immediately. Anyone who wishes to change province can petition their initial province and the petition will go to Ankara, which makes the final decision. The church is working to establish a regular schedule of visiting priests from Iraq to say mass. “Right now we are working to ‘adopt’ 200 widows living in Turkey through our Adopt-a-Refugee program,” said Konja. After February 12, every registered family has no problem sending their kids to school, but those registered before that date need to register again for a new identity card. At the direction and request of Patriarch Louis Sako, the church is working with the consulate, embassy and other government offices to establish a regular schedule of priests visiting Turkey to celebrate mass, baptize babies and provide First Holy Communion. “We have been told that a guest priest may come from Iraq to be with the people and pray with them and then return after a short time,” said Konja. 30 CHALDEAN NEWS JUNE 2015
JUNE 2015 CHALDEAN NEWS 31
