BAGDAD, MISSIONI of. - The archdiocese of B. comprises the three apostolic prefectures of B. Mossul and Mardin, transformed into missions in 1896. The first is entrusted to the Discalced Carmelites, of whom Fr. Giuseppe M. di Gesù, of the province of Burgundy, began the mission in 1721 with the title of provicar.
The mission of B. also includes Bassora and Amara; 15 Carmelites work there and maintain 4 churches, 4 oratories, a boarding school, an orphanage, a school, and an Arabic periodical. They are assisted by 44 Sisters of the Presentation of Tours, who run 4 schools, 2 boarding schools, an orphanage, and 2 hospices.
The mission of Mossul belongs to the Dominicans, who direct a Syro-Chaldean seminary. There, moreover, the Dominican Sisters of the Presentation of Tours are engaged in the education of young girls and the care of the sick.
The third mission, that of Mardin, is entrusted to the Capuchins. Almost completely destroyed by the First World War and by Turkish persecutions, it was united in 1916 to the other mission of Syria.