Iraq's Chaldean Patriarch denies approving plan for mass emigration

January 14, 2015

The Chaldean Catholic Patriarchate of Babylon has denied reports that Patriarch Louis Raphael I Sako approved plans for a massive move of 13,000 Iraqi Christians to Canada and Germany.

In a statement released to the Fides news service, the Chaldean patriarchy said that Iraqi Christians are free to relocate, but the Patriarch has neither encouraged nor discouraged such moves.

The Chaldean Patriarch has expressed sympathy for Iraqi Christians seeking security in other countries, but has also pleaded with the faithful to consider remaining in Iraq and preserving the ancient Christian heritage there.

 

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Further information:

• Chaldean Patriarchate: no "approval" from the Patriarch to the emigration of Christians in Germany and Canada (Fides)