Chaldean priest Francis al-Sher passed away in Ankawa, Iraq, at 94

ANKAWA, Iraq — Chaldean priest Francis al-Sher passed away in Ankawa, Nineveh Plain, Iraq, at 94. Yesterday, Chaldean Archbishop of Erbil Mor Bashar Matti Warda presided over the funeral prayer in the Martyrs Church in Shaqlawa town.

Several parties issued telegrams of condolence on his death, including the Bethnahrin Patriotic Union Party in Iraq (Huyodo Bethnahrin Athroyo, HBA). The HBA mourned the priest who devoted his life to serving the church and humanity, following the path of Archbishop of Siirt Addaï Sher, one of the martyrs of the 1915 Sayfo Genocide.

Former President of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) Masoud Barzani and KRI Prime Minister Masrour Barzani also issued a telegram of condolence saying, “We received with great sorrow the news of the death of Fr. Francis Jebrael. On this sad occasion, we offer condolences to his family, relatives and all the Christian brothers. We ask God to have mercy on him.”

The pastor and priests of Alqosh Archdiocese also sent a telegram of condolence, pointing out that his priestly service will be a good example for believers and clergy to follow.

Father Francis was born in Shaqlawa, in 1929. His father is priest Jebrael, son of priest Butros, and his mother is Miriam Qas Hanna. He has 4 brothers.

On 17 June, 1956, he was ordained as a priest in the Maskinta Cathedral in Mosul. He served in his hometown, after which he moved to Mosul to serve in the Institute of Saint John the Beloved as an assistant to the director of the institute for one year.

In 1993, he moved to Baghdad, and he was appointed as pastor of the Church of Saint Paul in the Zaafaraniya region. He served there until his retirement.