Iraq

A Custody delegation visited Iraq in the days of the episcopal ordination of the new Syrian Catholic bishop of Mosul, a country marked by the drama of the Islamic State. The visit to Baghdad Cathedral, theatre of the 2010 massacre. The statue of Our Lady in Basra, where Muslims also stop to pray.

Feb. 3 scheduled for episcopal ordination of Fr. Younan Hano. In the former capital of the Islamic caliphate, residents committed to rebuilding by working together. Commitment to peace and dialogue prevails, but economic element weighs. Need "time" to eradicate extremist ideology. The value of unity among churches and the relationship with the Chaldeans.

The Chaldean bishop of Alqosh celebrated the inauguration of the building and the adjacent preschool, destroyed by jihadists and rebuilt thanks to the efforts of international NGOs. A work that goes beyond 'stones and bricks', but is a symbol of a community that wants to start again. An appeal to those who have migrated to return to their land.

A survey by al-Monitor/Premise Data in Turkey, Yemen, Iraq, Tunisia and Egypt shows that 68 per cent of respondents are worried or somehow worried about finding food in the next six months. Turks are most afraid (75 per cent). Russia’s war in Ukraine weighs heavily on the situation.

The Chaldean Primate's message for the Week of Unity from 18 to 25 January. The call to the "minority threatened" by conflict, violence and migration. The need for Christian leaders to "overcome non-essential differences". The "outdated" sermons of some priests and the need to "communicate with current reality". The appeal to Benedict XVI.

The pope has approved the election of two new archbishops designated by the Sindo of the Patriarchate of Antioch of the Syrians: Fr. Jacques Mourad in 2015 in Syria was in the hands of jihadists for five months; in Iraq Fr. Qusay Mubarak Abdullah Hano was born and raised in the Nineveh Plain and was an exile among exiles in Erbil. The challenges of reconstruction.

Today's headlines: al-Sistan appeals for suffering Afghans, women in particular; In Vietnam, Dong Thap authorities pronounce child who fell into 35-meter shaft dead, recovery attempts futile; Taliban claim double killing of senior Pakistani officials; in Ukraine, Russian Wagner war cemetery fills up quickly with new burials; Armenian airline opens new connections with Moscow.

The Chaldean patriarchs spoke to AsiaNews about the pope emeritus who died this morning. A "man of God” with a "luminous" face, one day he will be proclaimed "doctor for what he has left". He had a bond of "deep closeness" with the Muslim world. He supported the synod on the Middle East in 2010.

In his homily at midnight Mass, the Chaldean Patriarch recalls the "increasingly serious" crises afflicting the planet: divisions, conflicts and injustice. The theme of "minorities" who are "increasingly oppressed" along with "displaced persons" because of war. The reconstruction of Iraq starting from its origins and values, to rebuild trust in the "social fabric".

Regional and international (EU, UN, AL OIC GCC)) representatives met yesterday at the Dead Sea, Jordan, for the second Baghdad Conference for Cooperation and Partnership. Close to Iran, Iraq’s new prime minister seeks balanced relations with everyone. Iran’s foreign minister talks about friendship with others, but slams those who fuel protests in his country following the death of Mahsa Amini.

The jihadi group is back, striking twice in 24 hours. in Kirkuk, nine policemen were killed yesterday; eight people were killed today in Anbar province. Local tribes tried to repel IS’s attack, some with their bare hands. Small cells and lone wolves carry out opportunistic attacks.

The ceremony yesterday in St Joseph's Cathedral, presided over by the Chaldean Patriarch. The three new priests representing the diaspora, the capital's community and Iraqi Kurdistan. Card. Sako: a mission in which "the flame of enthusiasm" must remain alive. The importance of prayer and the bond with the community.