His Majesty King Charles III has attended at a special Advent service today (Tuesday, 17th December) at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Farm Street in Mayfair, London, co-hosted by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN).
The service celebrated the courage and perseverance of Christian Communities on 10th anniversary of the invasion of Mosul and the Nineveh Plains in northern Iraq by Daesh (ISIS). The King met representatives of the London-based Iraqi Christian diaspora, including individuals who suffered persecution and forced displacement when Daesh seized the Nineveh Plains.
His Majesty also met with members of the 175-year-old Jesuit parish – including those involved in outreach initiatives supporting the homeless and others in need. Cardinal Vincent Nichols and the Apostolic Nuncio were also in attendance.
Dr Caroline Hull, national director at ACN (UK), said:
'Throughout their long history dating back to the 1st century, the Christians of Iraq have been no strangers to suffering. But little could prepare them for the terrors that would be inflicted both on them and so many other communities in recent years.
'Since his time as Prince of Wales, The King has shown profound and unstinting compassion, going out of his way to hear the personal stories of the afflicted faithful. The King’s constant concern has been a huge source of encouragement for us at ACN.'
Photos: Mazur/cbcew.org.uk
