Bishop Emile Shimon Nouna Elected Patriarch of the Chaldean Church, Chosen as Mar Paul III Nouna

Bishop Emile Shimon Nouna, now the newly elected Patriarch of the Chaldean Church under the name Mar Paul III Nouna, was born in 1967 in Alqosh, a town located in the Nineveh Governorate of Iraq. His early education included preparatory studies in the scientific branch before he joined the Shimon Al-Safa Priestly Institute in Baghdad. This foundational training set the stage for his future ecclesiastical career.

Ordained a priest on January 11, 1991, Bishop Nouna began his service in Khornet Alqosh as an assistant priest until 1997. He then took on the responsibility of leading the parish, continuing its pastoral care until 2000. His commitment to ministry was further deepened when he traveled to Rome in 2000 to pursue postgraduate studies at the Pontifical Lateran University, where he earned a doctorate in theological anthropology in 2005. His doctoral thesis focused on the anthropology of the marital relationship as explored in the writings of Saint Ephrem the Syrian.

Upon returning to Iraq, Bishop Nouna engaged in both pastoral and academic roles, teaching anthropology at the Babylon College of Philosophy and Theology. He also held various church positions within the Diocese of Mosul. His leadership and scholarly contributions were recognized when the Synod of the Chaldean Church elected him Archbishop of Mosul on May 5, 2009. This decision was approved by the Holy See, and he was ordained a bishop on January 8, 2010, becoming one of the youngest Catholic archbishops at the time.

Bishop Nouna’s ecclesiastical journey continued with his leadership of the Chaldean Diocese of Saint Thomas the Apostle in Australia and New Zealand. His career has spanned both Iraq and Europe, marked by a blend of pastoral service and academic work. His dedication to church and community issues was especially evident during the challenges faced by Mosul and the Nineveh Plain.

On April 12, 2026, the Synod of Bishops of the Chaldean Church elected Bishop Nouna as Patriarch of the Chaldeans, and he chose the name Mar Paul III Nouna. This election represents a significant moment in the Church’s history. His scholarly contributions include several books and publications, such as *Rejoice in the Lord – Reflections on the Liturgical Year of the Chaldean Assyrian Church of the East* and *Family and Society*. He has also translated various theological works, contributing to the Church’s intellectual and pastoral life.

Bishop Nouna’s career reflects a commitment to both spiritual leadership and academic excellence. His work has been shaped by the challenges and opportunities of his homeland, as well as the broader Christian community. His election as Patriarch underscores the importance of his role in guiding the Chaldean Church through its ongoing mission and ministry.

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