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Summary of Bishop Sarhad Yawsip Talk The Chaldean Synod (May-2006) The Chaldean Synod will gather in the next few days in Iraq to study and review the needs of the Chaldeans and the Catholic Church in Iraq. This Synod is coming at a crucial and historical time. We got this speech from our Diocesan Bishop Sarhad Yawsip Jammo about the schedule of the Synod before his departure to Iraq, in fact, while on his way to the airport! This is a summary of his speech: This Synod will cover different aspects, and some of them are: We need to look at the spiritual needs of our people and priests. This is due to the instability of Chaldeans who are displaced and scattered all over the world. We need to look, in particular, at the spiritual nourishment for our priests so that they derive their spiritual food from the Liturgical text, the Teachings of the Church, the Holy Scriptures, and the Holy Mysteries of the Church of which the Eucharist is first and foremost. 2. Pastoral Issues Two of our dioceses will need a bishop, our new erected Eparchy in Australia, and the most ancient Diocese of Arbil. In Canada and Europe, we do not yet have dioceses there. Msgr. Philip Nagim was appointed by the Holy Father as the “Apostolic Visitor on Chaldeans in Europe” last summer, and he is taking care of our scattered community all over Europe. 3. Liturgical Reform After 14 or 15 years of our work on the texts, we have come to its completion. This new reformed text of the Holy Chaldean Mass completes the 1,350 years of the last reform of Esho Yabb from Arbil, which was done in the 7th Century. The primary text will be printed for priests, another text for sub-deacons, and another for the faithful. The original text is in the Chaldean language, so it will be translated to:
4. Iraq We have to look at how we can help our Church and people who are living in fear under direct persecution from some fanatic Muslims in the big cities such as Mosul, Baghdad, and Basra, in contrast with, the situation of our faithful in Northern Iraq who they are living in peace. We have to see how we can assist them so that their lives are honored and their civil rights are protected. We have to find out what the Patriarchate and bishops need in terms of guidance for our hurting and displaced people. 5. Other Issues a) The Particular Law: We need to decide on another meeting in Rome, maybe in September or October, to discuss the particular law of our Church that comes to us from the heritage of our Fathers and the current needs of our Church. b) Chaldean Seminary: We need many Priests. We will look at what we can do for our Patriarchal Seminary in Baghdad, and how we can provide priests for our Churches, whether or not we will need to ordain married men to the priesthood, married deacons that can be put forth to serve our people. c) Chaldean and other Orders in Iraq: Monks and nuns and how they can help the needs of our Church with the Bishops to serve our people. These are the main issues that we have. We will trust in God, and with your prayers, we will accomplish our duties, and derive good fruit from this meeting. Remain in peace.
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