The Chaldean Synod

Chaldean catholic Bishops gather for a meeting in Baghdad.

His Beatitude Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako inaugurated the works of the Synod of the Chaldean Catholic Church in the patriarchal residence in Al-Mansour, Baghdad, on the morning of Monday, August 9, 2021.

Cardinal Sako began the session by praying to the Holy Spirit, followed by remarks in which he touched upon the most important events and challenges facing the Chaldean Church at home and abroad. He stressed the importance of sound and sustainable formation of the clergy, and the selection of bishops according to canonical criteria so that the right person may serve in the right place. He focused on the importance of liturgical renewal and appropriate religious education programs that are suitable for people’s culture and their current circumstances.

The Patriarch also took time to reflect on Pope Francis’ visit to Iraq in March of 2021. The visit gave Iraq and its people a boost of hope for a better future. Certainly, from these pains, hope is born. In his speech, the Patriarch remarked: “We must study carefully the situation of Christians who have been subjugated to many pressures, and due to the increasing immigration, our numbers have declined.

“The Church should not play a partisan political role, but rather work, with apostolic courage and responsibility, to enlighten consciences on issues of peace and social justice, good citizenship, and immigration due to despair. The mission of the Church is also the voice needed to sow the seeds of brotherhood, love, reconciliation, peace, security, solidarity, cooperation, and social justice. It is important to strengthen the presence of our Church in Iraq, because of the land, language, history and heritage…”

At the end of the first session, the Synod Fathers sent a letter to Pope Francis asking for his prayers and blessings for the Synod and thanking him for his historic visit to Iraq.

Topics on the agenda included the selection of bishops for vacant dioceses, liturgical matters such as feast days and readings, celebration of the Mass, the priests’ stole, women servers, manuscripts and culture, and the role of the laity in the Church. The bishops also discussed the establishment of a Chaldean Solidarity Fund to help the needy parishes, especially in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic and the decline in the economic situation worldwide.

Bishop Francis Kalabat explained the process of the beatification of martyrs and stated that there should be proclamations within the near future.

The bishops stressed the importance of adhering to the decisions of the Synod, which represent unity and ecclesial communion between dioceses. After discussion and deliberation, the Fathers unanimously agreed to adopt the name “Chaldean Patriarchate” instead of the Patriarchate of Babylon over the Chaldeans, and they enthusiastically expressed their pride in their Chaldean identity.