Syriac Catholic Patriarch alleges Vatican prefect is seeking his ouster
September 24, 2026
» Continue to this story on Pillar
CWN Editor's Note: The Patriarch of the Syriac Catholic Church alleged that Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches, is pushing for his ouster, as well as the ouster of other Eastern Catholic patriarchs.
Patriarch Ignatius Joseph III Yonan, 81, told The Pillar “most of the patriarchs are not so happy with the prefect’s behavior” and that “he has spread the news for the past two years that he is trying to get several patriarchs dismissed, and he says that openly.”
On August 29, Pope Leo XIV amended the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches to grant Eastern Catholic synods the authority to remove Patriarchs and Major Archbishops when communion between the church’s head and synod has been “seriously and irreparably damaged.”
The synod of bishops of the Syriac Catholic Church soon began the process of deposing the Patriarch, who has led the Syriac Catholic Church since 2009.
The above note supplements, highlights, or corrects details in the original source (link above). About CWN news coverage.
For all current news, visit our News home page.
All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a current donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!
