31/10/2024

Patriarch of Assyrian Church of the East Mar Awa III Royel meets Australian Prime Minister in Canberra

CANBERRA — During an official visit to Australia, Catholicos-Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East Mar Awa III Royel met with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Member of Parliament Chris Bowen, Minister of Climate Change and Energy, in Canberra.

Discussions included the Assyrian Church of the East’s mission and future initiatives in Australia, along with the vital contributions of Australia’s Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) community to the nation’s social and cultural life. The meeting also touched upon the current situation in the Middle East and other relevant topics.

Patriarch Mar Awa was joined by Archbishop of the Diocese Australia, New Zealand, and Lebanon Mar Meelis Zaia, Archbishop of the Diocese of Victoria and New Zealand Mar Benjamin Elijah, Archbishop of the Diocese of Baghdad Mar Elijah Isaac, and Father Ramen Youkhanis.

Expressing gratitude, the Patriarch thanked Minister Bowen for his continuous support of the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) community and for facilitating this significant meeting with the Australian Prime Minister.