Joseph Mahmoud

A delegation led by Mar Sako visited the Sunni mosque of Umm al- Qura , west of the capital , and distributed food and medicine. His Beatitude expresses "solidarity" with the displaced from Fallujah and Ramadi who have fled from the al Qaeda militias. He invites all to pray to God "so the country may return to normal". Muslim leader : "Fraternity , characteristic of Iraqi Christians".

For Mar Sako, "Our future is here, not in the countries of the Diaspora". He slams mafias and traffickers who "encourage emigration", bemoaning the fact that without the people, only empty churches and dead stones are left. Better education, jobs, housing and investment are the bases to revive the Christian presence.

Majid Al- Nasrawi met the Chaldean Patriarch and the new Bishop Habib Hormuz Al-Nofal. Governor promises land and work for those who return to the city. Mar Sako confirms Churches’ attention for the south of the country. The prelate promises commitment to peace and coexistence in the city and the region.

Mar Sako meets Sheikh Rafi Taha Al-Rifai in Sulayamaniyya, Iraqi Kurdistan. A “courtesy” visit to strengthen friendly relations between religious leaders and communities. His Beatitude speaks of the plight of Christians in reception centers and appeals for mutual "harmony".

In a pastoral letter His Beatitude recounts the first year at the helm of the Chaldeans , and presents guidelines for the future. He does not forget the difficulties, the exodus of Christians and sectarian violence. The call to revive "the original charism" that helps believers to really live the "gift" of faith. The hope of peace and thoughts for our “brothers and sisters” in Syria and Lebanon.

"It is an initiative that helps spread a spirit of cooperation among all citizens" and enhance the role of Christians, "true members of this country," Mar Sako told AsiaNews. The facility is in a former retirement home in a Shia part of the capital. Muslim leaders emphasise the role of the minority in the defence "of the principles of peace and coexistence."

In his recent address to the authorities, the Chaldean Patriarch had asked for an official recognition of the holy day. Mar Sako said that "Jesus did not come just for Christians, but for everyone"; he also emphasises the "special respect" Muslims have for Jesus. The recognition is a new and important step for a long-persecuted minority.

Speaking to Parliament in Baghdad on human rights, His Beatitude describes a reality that is "a source of concern." Security has "deteriorated" as have divisions of a confessional nature , fanned by " regional and international" powers. He calls for an end to the divisions and asks for greater courage from political and religious leaders to "unite the people."

His Beatitude reminds the clergy that their task is to be "priests", that they belong to the "One" Church, which is not an NGO because "its core is Christ." He reiterates that their duty is to be "servants" and "pastors" of the community, and calls for transparency and rigour in financial matters.

Mar Dinkha IV responds to call for dialogue launched by Mar Sako and urges "joint action" of "sister churches ." The idea of a "Joint Committee " to pursue the project of unity. Chaldean Patriarch: "urgent" need to overcome the difficulties and ensure "our future presence".

At the conference for peace promoted by the Community of Sant'Egidio , Mar Sako stresses that martyrdom " is not an ideology or aim ," but " an everyday reality " of testimony. His Beatitude invites "persecuted Christians " to renew " their faith and their commitment " and stresses the value of their presence in the Middle East as a "sign of hope and peace."

In pastoral visit in Lebanon, the Chaldean Patriarch of Baghdad denounces the discrimination to which Christians are subdued and vindicates the contribution that they have made together with the Muslims for the history, culture, human rights in the Middle East. Without Christians there is no Arab modernity. An appeal for the abducted Orthodox bishops and a thank you to Lebanon, model of coexistence.