Saturday, August 05, 2023

Iraq: Al-Shorta advances in the King Salman Cup, a bear is sedated for a flight, Cardinal Sako remains persecuted

 Starting with Iraqi sports news,  Khaled Al-Arafah (ARAB NEWS) reports:


The Iraqi Al-Shorta  and the Saudi Al Hilal teams qualified for the semi-finals of the King Salman Cup for Arab Clubs 2023, in the start of the quarter-finals of the tournament, on Saturday evening.

 Al-Shorta beat Qatar's Al-Sadd 4-2 in Abha, while Al-Hilal beat the Saudi Al-Ittihad team 3-1 in Taif.

In the first match, Aso Rostom scored (two goals), Amir Sabah and Ahmed Farhan scored one goal each for Al-Shorta, while Akram Afif scored the double for Al-Sadd.

In the second match, Al-Hilal's goals were scored by Sergey Savic, Salem Al-Dosari and Malcolm Philip, while Al-Ittihad's goal was scored by Romario da Silva.


In other sports news, RUDAW notes:

Erbil Sports Club on Saturday failed to win the Iraqi Cup. It was defeated in a dramatic final game against al-Quwa al Jawiya, one of Iraq’s oldest and most prestigious football teams that took the match 1-0.

The match's sole goal was scored by Jawiya’s Muhannad Abdul Rahim.


In travel news, Ali al-Shouk (THE NATIONAL) reports, "An Iraqi airline has apologised after a bear being transported on a passenger flight from Baghdad to Dubai escaped from its crate in the cargo hold of the plane. Iraqi Airways said on Friday that the animal had to be sedated and taken off the flight on arrival at Dubai International Airport."  Azhi Rasul (RUDAW) adds, "The origins of the bear or where it was being taken were not publicized."







Moving on to a conflict between Christians and the government of Iraq, let's drop back to the July 18th snapshot:


Cardinal Louis Sako, patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church, announced Saturday that he is withdrawing from his seat in Baghdad after Iraqi President Abdul Rashid revoked a decree recognizing him as head of the Christian Church in Iraq.

Sako said he will be taking up residence in a monastery in Kurdistan, an autonomous region of Iraq, where he will continue to lead the Chaldean Church.  

In a statement issued July 15, Sako called the president’s action — which calls into question his ability to control Church assets in the country — “unprecedented” and “unfair.”

“It is unfortunate that we in Iraq live in the midst of a wide network of self-interest, narrow factionalism, and hypocrisy that has produced an unprecedented political, national, and moral chaos, which is rooted by now more and more,” Sako wrote. “Therefore, I have decided to withdraw from the patriarchal headquarters in Baghdad.”

What's going on?  A number of things, actually.  AFP noted a few days ago a political conflict:

Cardinal Louis Sako, patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church, announced Saturday that he is withdrawing from his seat in Baghdad after Iraqi President Abdul Rashid revoked a decree recognizing him as head of the Christian Church in Iraq.

Sako said he will be taking up residence in a monastery in Kurdistan, an autonomous region of Iraq, where he will continue to lead the Chaldean Church.  

In a statement issued July 15, Sako called the president’s action — which calls into question his ability to control Church assets in the country — “unprecedented” and “unfair.”

“It is unfortunate that we in Iraq live in the midst of a wide network of self-interest, narrow factionalism, and hypocrisy that has produced an unprecedented political, national, and moral chaos, which is rooted by now more and more,” Sako wrote. “Therefore, I have decided to withdraw from the patriarchal headquarters in Baghdad."

 [. . .]”


Now comes Abdul to further disgrace the Talabani family and the PUK.  FARS MEDIA CORPORATION notes:

A source at Asianews points out that the whole affair turns on this point: “Someone wants to take control over the assets and properties held by Christians and the Church.” President Abdul Latif Rashid has intervened in recent days with the intention of “clarifying” his decision.

His office issues a statement saying: “Withdrawing  the republican decree does not prejudice the religious or legal status of Cardinal Louis Sako, as he is appointed by the Apostolic See.” According to the Kurdish Muslim leader, “the abolition of the Presidential Decree is intended to correct the situation,” while the patriarch continues to enjoy “the respect and appreciation of the presidency of the Republic as Patriarch of the Chaldean Church in Iraq and the world.”

“However, the president’s decision strips the Chaldean leader – the Patriarch – of the right to administer church assets, which are the target of Ryan 'the Chaldean' and his Babylonian Brigades. ‘It’s no coincidence that the president’s decision came a few days after he met with Ryan,’” a source told AsiaNews.

“For over 100 years, the patriarch, after his papal appointment, had his office recognized by decree by the king and then the president, upholding his status as head of the Church and custodian of its properties.” With the withdrawal of the decree, the primate “will likely lose control over the [Church’s] assets and properties,” the source concludes, but Cardinal Sako “is determined to fight and is already studying ways to appeal in court so that law prevails and justice is done.”

The controversy surrounding the withdrawal of the presidential decree is the latest chapter in a series of attacks that have affected the most respected figure of the Chaldean Church in Iraq, to the point that in recent weeks there has arisen a backlash among Christians in response to the “lies”: an attack against the patriarch and the leadership of the Church by the leader of the Babylonian Movement, Rayan.


Two days later, Mina Aldroubi (THE NATIONAL) updated the story:

The US ambassador to Iraq will be summoned by Baghdad over remarks made by a US official about the removal of the head of the Christian Church in Iraq, the government said on Thursday.

Ambassador Alina Romanowski is to be called in after State Department spokesman Matthew Miller described the treatment of Cardinal Louis Sako as harassment.

He said he was troubled by Iraq’s President Abdul Latif Rashid's decision to revoke a decree recognising the patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church, as head of the country's Christian Church.

“I will say we are disturbed by the harassment of Cardinal Sako ... and troubled by the news that he has left Baghdad,” Mr Miller said on Tuesday.

“We look forward to his safe return. The Iraqi Christian community is a vital part of Iraq’s identity and a central part of Iraq’s history of diversity and tolerance.”

Mr Rashid's office said the president was "disappointed by accusations levelled against the Iraqi government" by Mr Miller and would summon the ambassador.


The conflict continues.  CHRISTIAN TODAY notes, "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."  Aid To The Church in Need explains, "The prelate is calling for a new decree to be put in place using slightly different wording, but in effect re-instating the terms of the old one and giving official recognition both to him and other patriarchs. He called on Church leaders, governments, politicians, and other influencers around the world to back calls in favor of a new decree."  Susan Korah (THE CATHOLIC REGISTER) spoke with an Iraqi Christian activist, Rabea Allos, currently living in Canada an Allow stated, "I was personally shocked and saddened.  Things are going deeper into the gutter in Iraq. The patriarch was vocal about encouraging Christians to remain in Iraq, but now they are going after His Beatitude. This sends another message to Christians that they are not wanted in Iraq. [. . .] This revocation undermines not only Patriarch Sako's official position as leader of the Church, but also his authority to administer Church properties and endowments, subject to the approval of the Vatican."  ALETEIA adds:


Cardinal Sako published an open letter to the administration on the Chaldean Catholic Patriarchate website, in which he noted that he will remain in Erbil if no decree is issued. He has vowed to remain in the monastery until the end of the presidential term of Dr. Abdul Latif Rashid in late 2026. The prelate also lamented the end of a traditional understanding between the government and the Chaldean Catholic Church that has spanned 14 centuries. 


AP's Abby Sewell and Salar Salim report on Cardinal Sako's political rival  Rayan al-Kildani:


In Baghdad's upscale Mansour neighborhood, al-Kildani was busy building political alliances.

On a recent afternoon, several couches in the palatial lobby of his party headquarters were occupied by well-dressed women wearing hijabs, beneath a painting of the Last Supper and a portrait of al-Kildani.

One by one, the women entered the inner office, each one emerging with a gift bag. One of the visitors explained that they were political candidates interested in running on al-Kildani’s list in Mosul in December’s provincial elections.

After the visitors departed, a smiling and courtly al-Kildani made his entrance.

He insisted that he had no role in the withdrawal of the patriarch's decree and dismissed allegations that he was seeking to seize church lands.


This Cardinal Sako's bio from The Vatican:

His Beatitude Cardinal Louis Raphaël Sako, Patriarch of Babylon of the Chaldeans was born in Zākhō, Iraq, on 4 July 1948.

He completed his primary studies in Mosul, and then attended the local Saint Jean’s Seminary, held by the Dominican Fathers.

He was ordained a priest on 1 June 1974, and carried out his pastoral service at the Cathedral of Mosul until 1979.

He was sent to Rome, where he attended the Pontifical Oriental Institute, obtaining a doctorate in Eastern patrology. He subsequently obtained a doctorate in history from the Sorbonne in Paris. From 1997 to 2002 he held the office of rector of the Patriarchal Seminary in Baghdad. Upon returning to Mosul he guided the parish of Perpetual Help until his election as archbishop of Kerkūk on 27 September 2003.

He received episcopal ordination the following 14 November.

On 31 January 2013, during the Synod convened in Rome by Pope Benedict XVI after the resignation of the Patriarch His Beatitude Cardinal Delly, he was elected Patriarch, receiving the Ecclesiastical Communio from the same Supreme Pontiff on 1 February; rendered public with the Eucharistic Celebration in the Vatican Basilica on 4 February.

On 14 July 2018, the Holy Father Francis appointed him President Delegate of the XV Ordinary General Assembly on Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment (October 2018).

He has published books on the Church Fathers, and numerous articles.

In addition to Arabic and Chaldean, he knows German and speaks French, English and Italian.

Created and proclaimed Cardinal by Pope Francis in the consistory of 28 June 2018.

Member of:

  • Dicasteries: for the Oriental Churches; for Culture and Education; for Inter-religious Dialogue.
  • Council for the Economy.


The US government's position?  Little has been said publicly but the issue did pop up at a July 18th press briefing given by State Dept spokesperson Matthew Miller:


QUESTION: Yeah, on Iraq. Do you have any reaction to the Iraqi president decision to revoke a decree recognizing Cardinal Louis Sako, patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church, as head of the Christian Church in Iraq?

MR MILLER: Yes. I will say we are disturbed by the harassment of Cardinal Sako, the patriarch of the Chaldean Church, and troubled by the news that he has left Baghdad. We look forward to his safe return. The Iraqi Christian community is a vital part of Iraq’s identity and a central part of Iraq’s history of diversity and tolerance.

I will say we are in continuous contact with Iraqi leaders on this matter. We are concerned that the cardinal’s position as a respected leader of the church is under attack from a number of quarters, in particular a militia leader who is sanctioned under the Global Magnitsky Act. Excuse me.

QUESTION: And to what extent do you think this decision affects the religious freedom in Iraq?

MR MILLER: I would say certainly it is a blow to religious freedom, and that’s why we are so concerned and why we have engaged directly with the Iraqi Government to make our concerns clear.

QUESTION: And do you expect any change in their decision?

MR MILLER: I will say we have engaged with them. I think I just made our position quite clear. And we certainly hope that they will reverse that decision and the cardinal will be able to safely return to Baghdad.


With each passing day, it's becoming a bigger issue.  Friday, Iraqis held a protest.  Azhi Rasul (RUDAW) reports:


Christians in Iraq’s northern province of Nineveh protested on Friday against what they called demographic changes and lack of respect for religious leaders amid a rift with Baghdad.

“Our youth are being disrespected. The region has been divided in terms of security, administration and politically. Today our mouths are being shut,” Syriac Catholic Archbishop of Mosul Benedict Younan said in a protest in Qaraqosh, southeast of Mosul.

He said the Christians of Nineveh are facing a veiled call to emigrate and leave their lands, and called on the Iraqi government to step in. 

“Today the existing checkpoints are preventing journalists from entering this region and seeing our struggles,” the bishop said, accusing security forces of trying to “mislead public opinion and shut their mouths” by barring media from covering the protest. 


Turning to the US, today Jack McCordick (VANITY FAIR) reports:

Ron DeSantis’s largest individual donor, hotelier and real estate tycoon Robert Bigelow, is, at least for the time being, closing his coffers. He announced that he is no longer donating to the Florida governor’s floundering campaign, citing the candidate’s “extremism” on abortion. Bigelow’s about-face, which he revealed in an interview with Reuters Friday, is the latest sign of big-money skittishness around DeSantis, once the darling of conservative donors.

Bigelow, who once said he’d “go without food” to push a DeSantis presidential bid, donated $20 million in March to Never Back Down, a super PAC supporting the Florida governor. That sum is ten times higher than the $2 million donated by the PAC’s second-biggest donor, venture capitalist Douglas Leone.

But Bigelow’s donation was made a month before DeSantis signed a bill banning abortion after six weeks, a move Bigelow cited as his reason for withholding more money. "He does need to shift to get to moderates. He'll lose if he doesn't,” the Las Vegas-based businessman said. “Extremism isn't going to get you elected.”


Isaiah's got a comic that goes up after this  ("Isaiah's THE WORLD TODAY JUST NUTS comics for the week (so far)" notes his previous four comics this week) and the following sites updated:




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