Cardinal Sako resigns as Patriarch in Iraq

 

File photo of Cardinal Louis Raphaël Sako  (AFP or licensors)

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Cardinal Sako resigns as Chaldean Patriarch of Baghdad

Cardinal Louis Raphaël Sako, whose resignation as the Chaldean Patriarch of Baghdad has been accepted by Pope Leo XIV, issues a letter reflecting on his years of his ministry in Iraq, saying he led the Chaldean Catholic Church under extremely difficult circumstances and amid great challenges.

Vatican News

Pope Leo XIV has accepted the resignation submitted by Cardinal Louis Raphaël Sako from the office of Patriarch of Baghdad of the Chaldeans, in accordance with Canon 126 §2 of the Code of Canon Law of the Eastern Churches (CCEO).

Cardinal Sako’s letter

In a letter released on Tuesday, the Cardinal explains that he had considered resigning already two years ago, upon turning 75, had discussed it then with Pope Francis, and had been encouraged by him to remain.

The decision to submit his resignation to Pope Leo XIV—to be able to “dedicate himself quietly to prayer, writing, and simple service”—and to explain it in a letter “to avoid any misunderstanding,” confirms that he was not forced by anyone to do so and requested to resign voluntarily.

“I have led the Chaldean Church under extremely difficult circumstances and amid great challenges,” Cardinal Sako writes. “I have preserved the unity of its institutions and have spared no effort to defend it.”

Likewise, the Cardinal declares that he has acted for “the rights of Iraqis and Christians, taking a stand and maintaining a presence both inside and outside the country.”

A new Patriarch who believes in renewal

The Cardinal recounts that his 13 years of service in Baghdad “have been years of loving pastoral care, accompaniment, and growth,” thanking God “for the grace of love” granted to him, his family, those who have lived with him during the years he served as a priest in Mosul, Bishop in Kirkuk, and Patriarch in Baghdad, and his assistants.

“In these difficult times, I hope that the leadership of the Chaldean Catholic Church will be entrusted to a patriarch who possesses solid theological knowledge, courage, and wisdom,” Cardinal Sako hopes.

He also insists that in the Chaldean See of Baghdad, it is necessary to have “someone who believes in renewal, openness, and dialogue, and who also has a sense of humor.”

The testament

Finally, in the letter, the Cardinal reveals that he wrote his will while still a priest and has renewed it several times, adding that he possesses “about forty million Iraqi dinars, five thousand U.S. dollars, and five thousand euros” collected from “salaries over 52 years of priestly service, in addition to what was obtained from selling the family house in Mosul.”

Cardinal Sako further declares that he does not own a house or a car and that his “true wealth” is his “devoted service and the 45 books and numerous articles” he has published.

Chaldean Catholic Cardinal reaffirms strong NO to same-sex unions

 

Chaldean Catholic Church reacts 7 months after gay blessings: will not give them 7 months later this important Catholic community reacted by replying to the statement of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith 

 (ZENIT News / Baghdad, 07.24.2024).- Cardinal Louis Raphaël Sako, Patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church, has reaffirmed the Church’s stance against blessing same-sex unions, asserting that such actions are inconsistent with Catholic teachings. On July 22, following the deliberations of the Chaldean Synod, the Church’s position was made unequivocally clear: «The Chaldean Church in Iraq and worldwide does not recognize same-sex unions as marriage. The legitimate and correct form of marriage for the Church is between a man and a woman, and therefore, we will not bless homosexual unions to preserve the sanctity of marriage, which is one of the seven sacraments.» Responding to further inquiries from Per Mariam, Cardinal Sako reiterated this position: «For us Chaldean Catholics, the blessing of a marriage is a sacrament, not merely a blessing. We cannot confer this sacrament on LGBT individuals. However, if an individual requests a prayer, we are willing to offer it, as we do for any person.» A few days earlier, Cardinal Sako had called on the Chaldean community to «return to the source of their authentic Chaldean spirituality.» He emphasized the importance of being «a star that leads people to Christ in our daily lives.» The Chaldean Catholic Church is one of the 23 Eastern Catholic Churches in communion with the Pope, enjoying autonomy in areas such as canon law. The Church holds significant importance in the Middle East, particularly in Iraq, where it maintains a notable presence. On December 18, 2023, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith issued the Fiducia Supplicans Declaration, which permits non-sacramental blessings for irregular couples. Seven months later, the Chaldean Catholic Church has responded, affirming its commitment to traditional marriage doctrine.

Chaldean Catholic Church reacts 7 months after gay blessings: will not give them | ZENIT - English

For Synod on Youth no Bishop from the West selcted for delegate president

Pope Names ‘Delegate Presidents” for Synod on Youth

Will Oversee Sessions on Behalf of Holy Father

July 16, 2018 15:47ZENIT StaffSynod18

Pope Francis on July 14, 2018, named four “delegate presidents” for the Synod of Bishops 2018: “Young People, the Faith, and Vocational Discernment.”

The synod will run from October 3-28, 2018, at the Vatican. The four will preside over the various sessions of the synod on the Holy Father’s behalf and will sign the documents that are issued.

The delegate presidents are:

• Chaldean Patriarch Cardinal Louis Raphael I Sako of Babylon (Iraq)
• Cardinal Désiré Tsarahazana, Archbishop of Toamasina (Madagascar)
• Cardinal Charles Maung Bo SDB., Archbishop of Yangon (Myanmar)
• Cardinal John Ribat MSC, Archbishop of Port Moresby (Papua New Guinea)

Expression of Hope for Christians in the Middle East after the Pope visits Bari

Cardinal Patriarch Louis R. Sako -Photo Courtesy Of The Chaldean Patriarchate Of Babylon's Website

INTERVIEW: Cardinal Sako: The West Must Not Remain Indifferent

Speaking to Zenit in Bari After Pope’s Ecumenical Encounter, Says ‘I Am Convinced There Is a Future for the Gospel’ in the Middle East

July 08, 2018 20:49Deborah Castellano Lubovinterview

The West must not remain indifferent….

In an interview with Zenit, Cardinal Louis Raphaël I Sako, Chaldean Catholic Patriarch of Babylon, Iraq, made this appeal following the July 7, 2018, ecumenical encounter, in which the Pope and Christian leaders rallied together to reflect on and pray for the Middle East, in the southern Italian city of Bari, the city of St. Nicholas.

In the interview, the Cardinal discusses the impact of the encounter, why he has great hope, and what he will express to his faithful in Iraq. Moreover, he explains why he is convinced ‘there is a future for the Gospel’ in the Middle East, and why what counts more than numbers is the quality of those witnessing the Gospel in his land.

Here is Zenit’s July 7 interview with the cardinal:

***

ZENIT: Cardinal Sako, how would you summarize the message launched today in Bari?

Cardinal Sako: I would say first of all “unity” among the heads of the different Churches and representatives of different cultures. This unity today was a fact! When we were all together on the bus, people shouted “unity! Unity!” towards us. I felt as if I were on Peter’s boat, as if we were all together in the boat, united! This meeting was already in itself a message, to the whole world and in particular to our faithful who suffer: “We are close to you, we pray for you, we think of you, we are at your service!”

Pope Francis in his speech during the meeting insisted on our call to offer human and spiritual closeness to the people, as pastors … They were powerful moments, which profoundly moved us and left us with so much hope!

ZENIT: You have not shyed away from stating the problems of the Middle East, starting with the emigration of Christians …

Cardinal Sako: We have talked about everything, about how the Church is built up, even in the midst of the difficulties, and the sufferings of our people. A Church that prays, that is faithful, that hopes, but also a Church at the service of the people … I am so full of hope, and I return with such strength!

ZENIT: And what will you convey to your faithful in Iraq?

Cardinal Sako: I will speak of the meeting and unity among the leaders of the Church. After all, I am convinced of it, we are united in the faith. The differences are cultural, geographical, but this is normal, because the message of the Gospel is incarnated in different cultures, through inculturation. But basically we are united. Then I will say “we are all close to you, at your service until the end, even to martyrdom. Even today there are martyrs who shed blood, not just in the past … and we are ready!

ZENIT: Today do you have more faith in the future of the Church in the Middle East…

Cardinal Sako: I am convinced that there is a future for the Gospel. There are problems but the Gospel is like the salt and light which Jesus speaks about. Little things, of course, but the impact and strength do not depend on the numbers. It depends on the quality of the testimony. You imagine 120,000 people leaving their homes at night with only the clothes on their backs and leave everything, leaving the Nineveh Plain and Mosul, to escape. They are confessors of faith! And the West must not remain indifferent, even if today it is even ashamed to say that its civilization is Christian … and this is a shame for me!

July 08, 2018 20:49interview