Columbus School of Law

Robert A. Destro, J.D.
Professor of Law & Director, Interdisciplinary Program in Law & Religion,
The Catholic University of America

John H. Garvey, J.D.
President, The Catholic University of America
Washington, D.C.

John Desrocher

Director, Office of Iraq Affairs
U.S. Department of State

Session One

Introduction to the Iraqi Christianity Project - Video

Overview of the Project – Professor Robert A. Destro, Professor of Law & Director,
Interdisciplinary Program in Law & Religion, The Catholic University of America,
Washington, D.C.

The Importance of Cultural Anthropology – Carole O’Leary, Ph.D.
Visiting Scholar, Interdisciplinary Program in Law & Religion, The Catholic University of
America, Washington, D.C.

Session Two

History of Christian Communities in Iraqi Kurdistan - Video

The Christian Communities of Iraqi Kurdistan through the 1991 Gulf War

Professor Dietmar W. Winkler, Ph.D.
University Professor, Patristic Studies & Ecclesiastical History;
Director of the Mayr-Melnhof Institute for Eastern Christian Studies,
University of Salzburg, Austria 

Christian Communities in Iraqi Kurdistan Since 1991 

Prof. Dr. Herman Teule, Ph.D.

Director, Institute of Eastern Christian Studies
Radbound University, Nijmegen, Netherlands;

Professor of Theology, The Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium.

Commentator:  Professor, Dr. Sidney H. Griffith, S.T., Ph.D.
Department of Semitic Languages & Literature,
The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C.

Session Three

The Demographics and Distribution of the Christian Communities in Iraqi Kurdistan: A Preliminary Report & Proposed Research Agenda - Video

Carole O’Leary, Ph.D, Moderator

Wijnand D. Langeraar
Michael-Moran Associates

Richard C. Michael
Michael-Moran Associates

Discussion:  Raad Ayar followed by Q&A

Session Four

My Hopes for the Christian Communities in Iraqi Kurdistan - Video

His Excellency Bashar Matti Warda (video)
Chaldean Archbishop f Erbil

Click here to view report of the trip - Video

Discussion & Commentary by American Religious Leaders Who Recently Visited the
Christian Communities of Iraqi Kurdistan

Carole O'Leary, Ph.D., Moderator, Visiting Scholar, Columbus School of Law
The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC

The Most Reverend Vicken Aykazian 
Legate of the Eastern Diocese, Armenian Church of America

Very Reverend Dr. James A. Kowalski 
Dean, The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, New York

A. Larry Ross, President
A. Larry Ross Communications, Dallas, Texas

Session Five:
The Legal Status of the Nineveh Plain - Video

Marshall J. Breger, J.D., Moderator
Professor of Law, The Catholic University of America

Professor Brendan O'Leary
Lauder Professor of Political Science,
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa.

Session Six:
Regional Challenges for Religious Minorities in the Middle East - Video

Setting An Agenda Going Forward:  Panel Discussion - Video

Prof. Robert A. Destro, Moderator
Prof. Dr. Herman Teule, Ph.D.
Raad Ayar, (tbd)
Nina Shea, Senior Fellow & Director Religious Freedom, Hudson Institute, &
   Former Commissioner, United States Commission on Int’l Religious Freedom Larry Ross,
A. Larry Ross Associates