Patriarch Sako, Fifty Years of Priesthood: What Remains in Memory is, Honesty and Love
Patriarch Sako, Fifty Years of Priesthood: What Remains in Memory is, Honesty and Love
I have spent half a century (1 May 1974 – 1 May 2024) serving passionately Christ, His Church and Iraq. During these fifty years, I worked hard to be cognizant of my responsibilities that gave me a beautiful and joyful experience. Throughout these years, I made many relationships, friendships, and dealt with events that helped me to mature and taught me lessons. I realized that life teaches humility, and when it stumbles, it teaches us pride, adherence to principle, and nobility.
As a priest, bishop, and patriarch, I have never put myself above the community I entrusted to serve, but rather, used to do my best in caring about them, defending their rights and dignity. Thus and in order to be close to people, I chose the (Labor Day, the 1st of May) for my priesthood ordination instead of Sunday, as was the tradition.
For my outfit, I wore uniforms on important occasions only and did not use the traditional head-cover, which is not a Church related at all, but a type of “turban” that was previously worn by Sheikhs and Notables. Having said that, a French proverb came to my mind, stating that, “the habit does not make the monk”, I also believe that leader’s relationship with the community should be a loving and serving bond and not a dominating relationship.
In terms of financial abuse: I haven’t let money to be my master, and can’t remember receiving money from anyone except my salary, most of which I happily spent on needy people and Church requirements. Along these 50 years, I did not seek personal gaining or tried to please anyone at the expense of my ethics, in spite of facing some “turbulences” that I was able to overcome by prayers and being honest.
Since I was elected as a Patriarch in 2013 to lead the Chaldean Church, it has experienced a rapid revival and described as a “living Church” by Pope Francis during his visit to Iraq at 2021. Additionally, our Church has a prominent presence today in Iraq, neighboring countries, and diaspora, through its ecclesiastical and cultural activities (such as schools, educational institutions, university, and the sum of published books), as well as its social activities (through its humanitarian relief work, especially the charitable clinics of Caritas-Iraq). For all the above and due to its national stance, the Chaldean Church has been targeted!
From being close to my late “bishops”, I learned; to care and love (priests) entrusted to me; and be close to them as a tender and concerned father. However, I treat them also with honesty and firmness to avoid chaos, believing that “superiors” must be honest in telling the truth, rather than misleading people by flattering and hypocrisy.
In serving my community at the parish, I tried to fulfil the motto of my priestly and episcopal ordination “Then I will proclaim your name to my brethren; in the assembly I will praise you” (Psalm 22: 23). I did my best to reveal the true face of Jesus Christ and the content of His message as much as possible, through “forming” the community so as, to know Jesus. I renewed the liturgical rituals, using simple and understandable vocabulary so that they become “prayer”, instead of sticking to rigid rituals “considered by some faithful “a citadel”.
Since the Gospel is good news and talks about Christ’s renewal as something different, I have always searched for something different. Therefore, when I write or prepare a homily, I speak first to myself and read it the same way, because the “preacher / priest” must reflect what is inside him, otherwise he will lose his credibility!
I believe in dialogue, harmonious coexistence, and dealing with everyone in the light of Christ teaching: “Every man is a brother”. I also believe in the substantial unity of Churches and respect their richness and distinct diversity. I confess that I am Catholic in affiliation, belief and at the same time, I am eastern (Chaldean) in roots and liturgy.
The decision made by Iraqi President to withdraw Decree No. 147 of 2013 and the manner in which he implemented it, is an insult to my personal dignity by all standards. However, we have not given up hope that God will never abandon us. Therefore, despite the pain, we will win through Him.
The crisis revealed those who deal with “two faces”: who stands with whom, who supports whom, and who compromises for the sake of personal interest, but it revealed also the true friend, who is keen to defend the Church!
At this Golden Jubilee, I express my gratitude to God; everything I have comes from Him, as I have nothing but my weakness. On this occasion, I renew my complete consecration to Him, keeping nothing for myself. I thank my family, in whom I found warmth and support, in spite of having the Church as my new family, to which I dedicated my mind, heart, and being from day one. It is worth mentioning that I neither associated or employed any member of my family in the Church, nor did facilitate the immigration of anyone.
I would like also to apologize, if I have offended anyone, since begging pardon is a manner of brave people, and forgiveness is an ethic of knights.
In the light of current circumstances, I decided to limit my priesthood jubilee celebration, to prayer and helping needy people, thanking God for everything, and thanking all those who supported me. I also pray for all those who have “hassled” me, wishing them to review their conscience in the light of the Holy Spirit, “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened” (Ephesians 1/ 18).
Finally, I say to those who are “fighting” for positions that it is not a “dessert”, but a heavy and tiring responsibility. Be faithful shepherds in imitation of Christ. Place yourselves under the leadership of the Holy Spirit and live a life worthy of “your call” with mental and spiritual satisfaction. Sometimes we are taken by shock when a person who is known to be good, change “abruptly” as soon as been assigned in a higher position, while they supposed to add (positively) to the position based on their love, sincerity and philanthropy. This should be the dynamic.
Patriarch Sako, Fifty Years of Priesthood: What Remains in Memory is, Honesty and Love
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