A church built on rock will never waiver (2):
THE EXPECTED OUTCOME!
Deacon Dr Subhi Zora
In a previous article that was published about a year ago, concerning the removal of the patriarchal recognition from our church and its leadership, I pointed out that the church built on rock will never be shaken, regardless of the circumstances or reasons, indicating that such a church is protected by the Lord Himself and the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said to Simon Peter, “And I say to you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16)
The exceptional events that took place last week in our homeland, Iraq, culminating in the peaceful and victorious return of His Eminence Patriarch Cardinal Louis Sako to his original seat and patriarchal diocese in Baghdad, represent a pivotal historical turning point in our modern Chaldean history. This came as a result of an important new decree issued by the Iraqi government headed by Mr. Muhammad Shayea Al-Sudani, according to which the Patriarch was restored to his legal rights and authority over the Chaldean Church, its assets and properties, including the church buildings and their contents. Historically, all Chaldean Patriarchs exercised this right since the Abbasid era in the middle Ages. Thanks to the steadfast positions and sacrifices of the Chaldean Patriarchate, the new decree restored to the Christian ecclesiastical leadership in Iraq in general and the Chaldeans in particular their legitimate rights to be recognized as the second largest religious group after the Islamic groups.
For the Patriarch and his Chaldean faithful inside and outside the Iraqi homeland, the decree came not only as a victory for His Eminence, but also as a natural outcome of the injustices that he was subjected to personally and the Chaldean Church in general at the hands of those who sought to destroy it as a historical and apostolic institution. The decree came as a decisive response to the dark elements and segments in our society that do not want Christian communities to live in peace and harmony in Iraq and the Middle East in general.
The Chaldean Church in Iraq, like many other Christian churches in the East, has been subjected, throughout its turbulent history, to many injustices and persecutions. However, these churches, their leaders, and their believers continued to survive courageously, thanks to their strong faith in Jesus Christ, their determination, and their perseverance. The example of the tragic events surrounding the withdrawal of recognition of Patriarch Sako in July 2023 over his Church and its property and the happy return of this recognition in full is just one of many similar events in the history of Christianity in the Levantine world. The happy conclusion of this episode in the history of our Chaldean Church is a cause for celebration and rejoicing, both within Iraq and in the diaspora around the world.
Hundreds of Iraqi Chaldeans in Baghdad and throughout the northern parts of Iraq, where the majority of Christians have taken refuge since ISIS invaded Mosul in 2017, came out to celebrate the victorious return of the Patriarch to his diocese in Baghdad. They all showed their happiness and support for His Eminence and their church with their hymns and prayers. These celebrations showed the faithful rally around their spiritual leader, his courage, and his firm stance with which he triumphed against those who wanted his downfall and that of the entire Chaldean Church.
Our esteemed Patriarch has shown the nation and the entire world that steadfastness in the face of negative and unjust situations and decisions, with the help of the Lord, is the only path that leads to success and victory. His courage and determination is an example for us all, Christian believers everywhere, to act strongly and stand firmly against injustice of any kind.
Congratulations Your Eminence, our venerable Cardinal, on this victory. We, the Chaldean people everywhere in the world, are all proud of your wise leadership, courage and determination to win for yourself and for the Church its due respect and worth. You courageously lead our Church in collaboration with all other churches of the East. We pray that our people will remain strong under your wise leadership and care. We will remain one Church, united in the Catholic faith of Christ with our Holy Father in Rome, as we work faithfully for our people inside and outside Iraq. May The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious unto you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace, Amen. (Numbers 6:23)
