Chaldean Catholics Celebrate Pope’s Acceptance of Former Assyrian Bishop

Bishop Bawai Soro, a former Assyrian Church of the East bishop, celebrated his papal appointment to the Chaldean Catholic Church with about 1,000 people in El Cajon, California. The event marked the culmination of eight years of effort, during which Soro transitioned from the Assyrian Church to the Roman Catholic fold, which includes the Chaldean Catholic Church. Soro, who served as a bishop in San Jose, left the Assyrian Church after a legal dispute over the management of a church building and property.

The Assyrian Church of the East, also known as the Nestorian Church, is an ancient Christian denomination dating back to the 5th century in present-day Iraq. In the 16th century, a portion of the Assyrian Church split off to form the Chaldean Catholic Church, which joined the Roman Catholic Church. Soro, who immigrated to the United States from Iraq 38 years ago, expressed his belief that Christ founded one church, and that unity is found only in the Catholic Church.

Soro’s journey to the Chaldean Catholic Church was not without controversy. Religious leaders in San Jose, where he previously served, sued him, alleging he had illegally taken over a church building and other property while attempting to convert the congregation to Catholicism. Soro lost the three-year-long legal battle and relocated to San Diego, where he was welcomed by Most Rev. Sarhad Yawsip Jammo, head of the western U.S. Diocese for Chaldean Catholics.

Despite the legal challenges and accusations of embezzlement and misconduct from some in San Jose, Soro’s new status was celebrated in El Cajon, a city with a significant Chaldean Catholic population. Mark Arabo, a leader of the Iraqi community in El Cajon, emphasized the importance of religious unity, stating that the Catholic Church is universal and inclusive.

The celebration in El Cajon highlighted the community’s appreciation for the papal appointment, which they viewed as a step toward greater unity within the Christian faith. The event underscored the significance of the Chaldean Catholic Church in the broader context of Christian denominations and their shared mission of serving the faithful.

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