Chaldean Catholic Patriarch and Catholicos-Patriarch of Assyrian Church of the East meet in Iraq

BAGHDAD — With the aim of consolidating relations between the two Churches, Chaldean Catholic Patriarch Louis Raphael I Sako received Catholicos-Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East Mor Awa III Royel at the Patriarchal Edifice in Mansour, Baghdad, on Tuesday morning.

Patriarch Sako welcomed Patriarch Royel and his companions. The discussion between the two revolved around the general situation in Iraq, such as the political dead end, economic and social conditions, and the possibilities of détente between rival political parties.

They discussed the situation of Christians in the country and the need to unify humanitarian advocacy and support dialogue for reform. They also discussed the possibility of unifying Christian political representation.

The continuous emigration of Chaldeans–Syriacs–Assyrians was also a topic of concern covered during the meeting. Also discussed was the ecclesiastical situation and the possibility of holding periodic meetings to study challenges and develop unified positions to address them.

At the end of the meeting, Patriarch Royel presented an oriental cross to Patriarch Sako, who in turn presented him two crosses used for ritual occasions and the new book of liturgical readings.