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Iraqi Archbishop Bashar Warda of Erbil addressed the tensions with Cardinal Louis Sako, the Chaldean Catholic patriarch based in Baghdad, attributing them to a misunderstanding. He denied allegations that he was working against the patriarch. In a message sent to OSV News on September 24, Archbishop Warda rejected "all accusations in full." These allegations stemmed from claims made by the Chaldean patriarchate on August 28, suggesting that Archbishop Warda had been misled by political figures attempting to undermine Cardinal Sako's authority as head of the Chaldean Catholic Church in 2023.
Archbishop Warda expressed his pride in "His Beatitude as the head of the Chaldean Church" and stated his intention to address these issues through appropriate church channels. In July 2023, Cardinal Sako left Baghdad after Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid revoked a decree recognizing him as Chaldean patriarch and his authority over religious endowments.
Archbishop Warda downplayed this revocation at the time, noting that it did not affect Cardinal Sako's religious or legal status since he was appointed by the Apostolic See. However, local media and Cardinal Sako viewed it as an attempt to usurp his position allegedly instigated by Rayan al-Kildani, leader of the Babylon Brigades militia.
While exiled in Erbil for nearly a year, Cardinal Sako received support from Iraq's leading Shia religious figure Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani and Iraq’s highest Sunni authority, both disapproving of his treatment. Countries like the United States, France, and Germany also criticized President Rashid's decision.
In June 2024, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani reaffirmed Cardinal Sako’s position as patriarch of the Chaldeans worldwide. Following this confirmation, Cardinal Sako returned to Baghdad and led the Synod of the Chaldean Church from July 15-19.
The absence of five bishops at this synod drew attention from the patriarchate. The missing bishops included Archbishop Warda; Bishop Paul Thabet of Alquoch; Bishop Azad Sabri Shaba of Dohuk; Chaldean Archbishop Amel Shamon Nona of Sydney; and Bishop Saad Sirop Hanna from Södertälje. Bishop Hanna did not respond to OSV News' request for comment.
On August 24, Cardinal Sako published a statement on the Chaldean Patriarchate website titled "The Truth About What is Happening in the Chaldean Church," claiming certain individuals were behind withdrawing presidential recognition to force his resignation for succession purposes.
Four days later, another statement warned that boycotting five bishops set a dangerous precedent contrary to their vows "to join hands with His Beatitude Patriarch Louis Raphael Sako." It accused Archbishop Warda directly: “It is unfortunate that [he] was deceived by promises” and supported those aiming for control over church assets through alternative means such as ‘the argumentation succession.'
Cardinal Sako wrote about moral integrity within leadership roles amid lies used destructively—though distancing himself personally—from boycotting-related matters now before higher ecclesiastical courts while concluding September reflection titled “Come back yourself.”
Junno Arocho Esteves contributed reporting OSV News Malmö Sweden
