Barzani Welcomes Iraqi PM’s Decision to Reinstate Cardinal Sako as Chaldean Patriarch
Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani, president of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), has applauded Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani’s recent decree reinstating Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako as the Patriarch of the Chaldean Church in Iraq and worldwide.
On June 5, PM Sudani signed an official decree recognizing Cardinal Sako’s leadership and reinstating his authority to represent and advocate for Chaldean Catholics both nationally and internationally. This move reverses a controversial decision made in July 2023 by Iraqi President Latif Rasheed, which had revoked a 2013 presidential decree acknowledging Cardinal Sako’s position as the head of the Chaldean Catholic Church and custodian of its assets. President Rasheed's decision had been met with widespread criticism and concern over the implications for Iraq's Christian community.
إن قرار تسمية غبطة البطريرك الدكتور مار لويس ساكو بطريركاً على الكنيسة الكلدانية في العراق والعالم خطوة صحيحة وفي محلها، نثني على قرار السيد محمد شياع السوداني رئيس الوزراء العراقي الاتحادي.
— Masoud Barzani (@masoud_barzani) June 12, 2024
“The decision to restore the seat of the Chaldean Patriarch of Iraq and the world is a right and appropriate step, and I congratulate Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani on this,” Barzani expressed. His statement highlights the significance of the reinstatement for the Chaldean Church and its followers.
Cardinal Sako has been a central figure in promoting interfaith dialogue and providing support to Iraq’s Christian community, particularly amid challenges such as displacement and persecution. His leadership has been instrumental in addressing the complex issues faced by Christians in the region, and his reinstatement is expected to strengthen the Chaldean Church’s position and influence.
The 2023 revocation had sparked significant outcry from Christians in Iraq and across the globe, with many viewing the move as an unjustified and targeted persecution of the community. The reinstatement of Cardinal Sako is seen as a crucial step towards correcting this perceived injustice and restoring confidence among Iraq’s Christian population.
