Iraqi church leader asks top court to recognise spiritual authority

Cardinal Louis Raphael I Sako, Patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church. (Photo: Aid to the Church in Need)

The leader of Iraq's largest Christian community has asked the country's supreme court to reverse a presidential order that no longer recognises him as Patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church. 

Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid revoked a decree issed by his predecessor acknowledging Cardinal Louis Raphael I Sako as Patriarch. 

Cardinal Sako told Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) that he is the victim of a political campaign to stop him from speaking about human rights, undermine ecclesial power, and take control of Church property. 

"Withdrawing the decree is very bad. For 15 centuries, there were decrees recognising the Patriarch as head of the Church and administrator of the properties of the Church," he said. 

"Revoking it is a humiliation for the Church.

"Those behind this move want to put their hands on the properties of the Church and administer them separately from the ecclesiastical authorities. We cannot accept that."

Cardinal Sako left his Patriarchal See in Baghdad last month after the decree was revoked and is now in Erbil, in the Kurdish north. 

He has filed a complaint with the Iraqi Supreme Court seeking a new decree that recognises him as Patriarch. 

"If I do not have the decree, I have no rights so far as the state is concerned. It is like killing me off in terms of my moral authority. It is offensive," he said. 

He said he was heartened by the broad show of support he has received.

"I have had many, many statements of solidarity from many Muslims as well as Christians," he said.

He added: "Christians in Iraq know they cannot be bought. They have their own dignity, their rights, just like anyone else."

News
Illinois community coming together to purchase Pope's old home
Illinois community coming together to purchase Pope's old home

Debt-hit town in Illinois is looking to buy the Pope's childhood home.

Fear, denial and control: Why the Cuban government prohibits the most natural responses to the country’s dire humanitarian needs
Fear, denial and control: Why the Cuban government prohibits the most natural responses to the country’s dire humanitarian needs

It may be hard to fathom how such pettiness plays into the government’s wider crackdown on FoRB and other fundamental human rights, or how on earth it could justify extending its repression to children, but ultimately it all comes down to fear.

On striving for destiny
On striving for destiny

Hebrew scholar and Jewish academic Irene Lancaster reflects on Numbers, leadership and destiny.