The Middle East Council of Churches Implements a New Session of the "Trauma Healing and Spiritual Counseling" Program in Iraq
Spiritual and Psychological Support Sessions for Church Ministers
You can find some photos at the end of the text.
As part of supporting the most affected people by the difficult social and security situations in the region, the Theological and Ecumenical Department at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) continues the implementation of its two-year program on “Trauma Healing and Spiritual Counseling” for Church Ministers
Therefore, a new session of the program for Church Ministers in Iraq was organized, hosted by the Syriac Catholic Archdiocese of Mosul in Baghdida (Qaraqosh), with the blessings of His Eminence Archbishop Mar Benedictus Younan Hano, Syriac Catholic Archbishop of Mosul and Its Dependencies. It was held from 23 to 28 November 2025, in the Mosul region, in the Nineveh Plain.
Twenty-two participants—men and women, including laypeople, priests, pastoral workers, individuals displaced from the Nineveh Plain, and family members of the victims of the tragic fire that claimed 243 lives and left many others injured—took part in the session.
The gathering was profoundly moving and deeply needed by this community, which has endured severe suffering in recent years. Participants received the program with great openness, longing, and commitment. Participants expressed hope that such workshops would continue so that more people affected by displacement, war, and acts of terrorism may have the opportunity to participate and begin their journey toward healing from wounds and traumatic experiences.
It is worth noting that the "Trauma Healing and Spiritual Counseling" (THSC) program is ongoing, with five workshops planned for 2026 in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Jordan, Palestine, and Egypt.
