Iraq’s Chaldean Church celebrating Year For Priests

(April 10, 2010) The Chaldean rite Catholic church of Iraq is organizing a national celebration of the Year for Priests next week in the northern town of Ankawa. The April 18 to 21 gathering of Iraqi priests, organised by the Chaldean Patriarchate of Baghdad, will be on the theme of priesthood and vocations. Cardinal Emmanuel III Delly, the Patriarch of the Chaldeans, will preside at the celebration and many priests and religious from various Iraqi dioceses are expected to come, Bishop Shlemon Warduni, auxiliary and vicar of the Chaldean patriarchate of Baghdad, told Italian bishops’ news agency SIR. He said the gathering will be an occasion to speak about priesthood today and the role of the family in promoting vocations to priesthood and religious life. Bishop Warduni hoped there will be enough security, so a large number can participate. He clarified that there will not be any debate on the scandal of child sex abuse by priests and religious in the Catholic Church. Bishop Warduni said the Chaldean Church has assures the Pope its full solidarity and closeness. At the same time it condemns these terrible acts and is determined to clean up and render justice to the victims. “Christians are now called to remain united to face these attacks aimed at discrediting the Church and the many priests and religious who are carrying out their pastoral mission, with faith and purity of soul, at the service of the least,” Bishop Warduni said.