Patriarch of Babylon of the Chaldeans Cardinal Louis Raphaël I Sako has recently been regularly writing Arabic-language articles, posted on chaldeanpatriarchate.com website, that depict the situation of the Christian Iraqis.
In his recent article dated August 19, 2023, Cardinal Sako states that “the Church in Iraq must preserve its freedom and independence. The Church is entrusted with conveying and defending the truth. Jesus says: ‘You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.’ (John 8:32). The path of truth is narrow, ‘it is the narrow gate.’ (Matthew 7:13) This qualifies us to review the presence of Lord Jesus Christ in our lives by applying His teaching “the way, the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6).
He says, “The clergymen should be leaders, rather than be subservient, while enjoying bright views, alive conscience, and ideal behaviors. They must know the truth and not deviate from it. The tasks of clergymen are to follow the model of Lord Jesus Christ by helping others follow Him, by raising them in sound Christian manners with good morals, and not being drawn into evil. The clergymen neither appease those who do evil, nor praise those who do evil, and nor cover it up.”
He continues,” Beware of those who kiss your forehead, it is the kiss of subservience rather than the kiss of love. It is a kiss with which you are chained with the rope of evil money to ensure your retreat. They seek to justify their corruption at the expense of the Church and the truth, since our service is voluntary, stemming from our faith, and it is rather invaluable.”
He adds, “The clergyman must rise spiritually in order to be an emulated noble model of faith, humanity, and patriotism. They must be of higher and sublime status by refraining from being sold out for money. The clergymen represent the Church whose presence should be dignified for the sake of the citizens who are engulfed in their difficult circumstances amid the recurring suffocating crises in Iraq, in particular.”
He stresses, “The Church must defend the Christians of Iraq against those who confiscate their rights, money, and properties, and against those who strive to effect a demographic change in the entire areas of the Nineveh Plain that enjoys a Christian majority.”
Cardinal Sako concludes be asserting, “The Church must strongly defend justice with regards to itself, to the country, and to the citizens, especially with regards to the Christians who have become a ‘weak link’, by only accepting the truth and not to compliment anyone at the expense of justice. Injustice and oppressors will dissipate sooner or later.
“I know your deeds… that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false.” (Revelation 2: 1-4)
