Chaldean bishops welcome progress against ISIS, say Iraq is at ‘dangerous crossroads’

April 06, 2016

Iraq’s Chaldean Catholic bishops praised the nation’s army, Kurdish forces, and local tribes for recent victories over the Islamic State.

During their April 5 meeting in Ankawa, the bishops prayed that God might “culminate these victories by releasing Mosul, Nineveh plains and every piece of the Iraqi land,” as well as “showering His mercy on martyrs and blessing the wounded with a speedy recovery,” according to a statement issued by the Chaldean Catholic Patriarchate following the meeting.

Decrying Iraq’s “widespread financial corruption,” “sharp economic decline,” and “severe fiscal crisis,” the bishops said that the nation “stands today at a dangerous crossroads that represents a historic turning point, and we should deal with it wisely.”

Nine of Iraq’s 14 Catholic dioceses and other jurisdictions are part of the Chaldean Catholic Church, an Eastern Catholic church in full communion with the Holy See; the other dioceses are either of the Roman rite or are part of other Eastern Catholic churches.

 

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Further information:

• Closing Statement from Meeting of the Chaldean Bishops in Iraq (Chaldean Catholic Patriarchate)