By Baghdadhope
"It was a beautiful experience" with these words Msgr.Shleimun Warduni, Chaldean vicar patriarch commented during a telephone interview with Baghdadhope the recent visit he paid together with the patriarch of the Chaldean church, Mar Emmanuel III Delly, to the Diocese of Basra for the chorepiscopal ordination of Father Emad Aziz Al Banna.
The ceremony, held with great participation of faithful, priests and nuns, was in the church of Saint Therese, “Saint Therese of the Latins” stated Msgr.Warduni recalling how since some years ago the Chaldean church has been using that church because "our is small and not suitable for ceremonies and in Basra there are some Latin families but not a Latin priest. "
But the visit to Basra, the first of the Cardinal Delly since 2003 when he was appointment as patriarch, was not limited to the ceremony. From the point of view of ecumenism it was characterized by the visits the Chaldean delegation paid to the Syriac Catholic, Syriac Orthodox and Armenian Orthodox churches the priests of which went to greet the patriarch.
"Moreover, the day before yesterday" continued the bishop, “we met some Muslim religious leaders and representatives of the government and the army who wanted to greet the patriarch and congratulate Father Al Banna who is highly respected and considered as an important element on the path towards peace. A priest who always remained close to the faithful, who sowed the seeds of peace and who has always maintained good relations with all parts in the city."
But the visit to Basra, the first of the Cardinal Delly since 2003 when he was appointment as patriarch, was not limited to the ceremony. From the point of view of ecumenism it was characterized by the visits the Chaldean delegation paid to the Syriac Catholic, Syriac Orthodox and Armenian Orthodox churches the priests of which went to greet the patriarch.
"Moreover, the day before yesterday" continued the bishop, “we met some Muslim religious leaders and representatives of the government and the army who wanted to greet the patriarch and congratulate Father Al Banna who is highly respected and considered as an important element on the path towards peace. A priest who always remained close to the faithful, who sowed the seeds of peace and who has always maintained good relations with all parts in the city."
When, in October 2006, Archbishop Jibrail Kassab, Bishop of Basra since 1996, was appointed to guide the new Eparchy of Australia and New Zealand he said that in Basra there were only 200 Chaldean families out of the 1000 who used to live there before 2003. How is the situation now?
"Now there are about 260 families. There was a certain increase. On the other hand the situation is improving. We were amazed when we arrived. Traffic, shops open, women going shopping, our women coming to church with their hairs uncovered and wearing the veil only in the church as it is traditional for us. On the way back to Baghdad we stopped also in Al Amarah where we were greeted with chants and applauses by the about 20 families living there. It was a moment of true joy. "
"Now there are about 260 families. There was a certain increase. On the other hand the situation is improving. We were amazed when we arrived. Traffic, shops open, women going shopping, our women coming to church with their hairs uncovered and wearing the veil only in the church as it is traditional for us. On the way back to Baghdad we stopped also in Al Amarah where we were greeted with chants and applauses by the about 20 families living there. It was a moment of true joy. "
A better situation then in Basra, but what about Baghdad? In the last days there have been bloody attacks ...
"Yes, unfortunately yes. But even in Baghdad the situation is improving. On last Saturday, for example, the restoration of the church of St. Peter and Paul in Dora began. The church that because of the attacks on August 1 2004, the violence and the American military presence in the area remained closed for a long time. We hope works will proceed quickly to reopen the church for the Easter ceremonies."
Does it mean that there is hope that the Chaldean Major Seminary and the Babel College, transferred from Dora to northern Iraq for security reasons on January 2007, will be reopened?
"Absolutely. Today I am going to make arrangements for them. However we want to finish the works in the church of St. Peter and Paul. By now, however, the buildings of the seminary and the college are manned by our guards. Our hope, as Iraqi citizens and as Christians, is that all these little signs may lead Iraq on the path of peace and reconciliation and that our people can have a future in their homeland."