SW News: Chaldean Patriarch Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako has decried the treatment of Christians in Iraq and the Middle Eastern countries as second-class citizens. Deploring the diminishing presence of believers in one of the cradles of Christianity, the top prelate urged politicians to take steps to stem the mass exodus of believers.

Calling on politicians for a need to change the way of thinking over the current socio-economic policies, the patriarch denounced the condition of the faithful in Iraq and the Middle in general.

The prelate decried the situation of the Iraqi Christians during the opening ceremony of the Synod of the Chaldean bishops, which is taking place in Baghdad till August 27. Criticizing the condition of the faithful, the prelate said, "The Islamic heritage makes Christians second-class citizens" and tolerates "the usurpation of their assets", he said.

Cardinal Sako also reiterated his calls for rewriting the constitution to contain the principles affirmed by the Holy Father during his historic visit in March 2021. The patriarch also stressed the need to uplift the minority Christian communities facing repression for the past 20 years.

The head of the Chaldean Church also urged the bishops and the priests to walk together. He also called the priests to carry out ecclesial, human, and national responsibility by living a passionate relationship with Jesus. The prelate stated, "This relationship with Christ, based on truth, charity, and the Spirit allows us, and allows our faithful, a mature spirituality, and encourages in the fulfillment of our mission with generosity and disinterest, far from particularism and the desire for domination and fame."

Cardinal Sako then emphasized the need to serve others; the bishop said, "Administration cannot be exercised without power, but it must not lead to despotism and dictatorship."

Speaking of the importance of priestly and monastic vocations, the patriarch recalled that the future of our Church is based on such vocations.

Cardinal Sako also reiterated his calls to remove societal divisions and treat everyone equally. He further called on to follow the rules established by the Chaldean Synod.