Vatican: Abp. Louis Sako elected Patriarch of the Chaledean Church
(Vatican Radio) Pope Benedict XVI has granted ecclesiastical communion, in accordance
with Canon 76 ยง 2 of the code of canons of the Eastern Churches to His Beatitude Raphael
I Louis Sako, canonically elected Patriarch of Babylon of the Chaldeans in the Synod
of Bishops of the Church, held in Rome January 28, 2013.
The Synod of Bishops
of the Chaldean Church, convoked by the Holy Father under the presidency of Cardinal
Leonardo Sandri, Prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches, canonically
elected the Archbishop of Kirkuk, Patriarch of Babylon of the Chaldeans on January
28th. The new patriarch succeeds Cardinal Emmanuel III Delly, and has chosen the name
of Louis Raphael Sako I".
Born in Zakho (Iraq) July 4, 1948, Patriarch Sako
completed his primary studies in Mosul, before attending the local seminary of St.
John, run by the Dominican Fathers.
Ordained a priest on June 1, 1974, he undertook
the pastoral service at the Cathedral of Mosul until 1979. Sent to Rome, he attended
the Pontifical Oriental Institute, receiving his doctorate in Eastern Patristics.
He later received his doctorate in history from the Sorbonne in Paris. On returning
to Mosul in 1986, he was appointed parish priest of the Parish of Perpetual Help.
From
1997 to 2002 he held the office of Rector of the Patriarchal Seminary in Baghdad.
He then returned to Mosul took over pastoral care of the Parish of Perpetual Help
until the election as Archbishop of Kirkuk September 27, 2003. He received episcopal
ordination on 14 November.
He has published several books on the Fathers of
the Church and several articles. Apart from Arabic and Chaldean, the Patriarch
speaks German, French, English and Italian.