Bishops of Catholic Bishops’ Conference support Patriarch Sako’s decision to move to Iraqi Kurdistan

Bishop Declan Lang, Chair of the International Affairs department of the Bishops’ Conference, has written to Cardinal Louis Raphaël Sako, Iraq’s Chaldean Patriarch, following his decision to retire from the Patriarchal See in Baghdad and relocate to a church or mission in one of the monasteries of Iraqi Kurdistan. The announcement was made in Arabic on 15 July, following the revocation of a 2013 decree by Iraq’s president, Abdul Latif Rashid, which had previously recognized Cardinal Sako as Patriarch of the Chaldean Church. The original decree was issued by the previous head of state, Jalal Talabani.

In his letter, Bishop Lang assured Patriarch Sako of his prayers and those of the President of the Bishops’ Conference, Cardinal Vincent Nichols. He expressed the deep friendship between the Church in Iraq and the Catholic communities in England and Wales, noting that several bishops from his department had visited Iraq in recent years to reaffirm this bond. Patriarch Sako’s recent pastoral visit to the UK had also strengthened these connections. The resilience of Iraq’s Christians in the face of adversity was described as a true witness to the Gospel, with the bishops expressing solidarity and prayer for the Patriarch.

Cardinal Michael Fitzgerald, retired president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, also sent a letter of sympathy and support to Patriarch Sako. He affirmed the Patriarch’s right to exercise his ministry from Baghdad, hoping the matter would be resolved and that the patriarchate would remain in the city, with Cardinal Sako recognized as its legal representative.

Patriarch Sako had recently visited the UK, organized by Fellowship and Aid to Christians of the East (FACE), where he met with church leaders, politicians, and led Mass for the Chaldean community. In Birmingham, he met with Archbishop Bernard Longley, who expressed his support during these challenging times. Longley recalled the Patriarch’s visit to Birmingham and the time spent at the Oratory with its shrine of St John Henry Newman and at St Mary’s College, Oscott with the staff and seminarians. He expressed gratitude for the visit and the opportunity to grow in appreciation of the Chaldean Church, assuring the Patriarch of his prayers and hope for the restoration of the Church’s affairs.

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