By SIR
The national gathering of Iraqi priests organised by the Chaldean Patriarchate of Baghdad to mark the Year for Priests is due to be held in Ankawa from 18 to 21 April on the theme priesthood and vocations. The news was relayed to SIR by the Chaldean patriarchal vicar of Baghdad Mgr. Shlemon Warduni: “Cardinal Mar Emmanuel III Delly will preside at the celebration and many priests and religious from various Iraqi dioceses are expected to come. The gathering will be the occasion to speak about priesthood today and the role of the family in promoting vocations to priesthood and religious life. We hope that security conditions will be such as to allow a wide participation”. As for the agenda, the bishop highlights that there won’t be any debate on the scandal of child abuse committed by priests and religious of the Catholic Church: “We assure the Pope of our full solidarity and closeness”, declared Mgr Warduni. “We are faced with the exploitation of attacks against the Church which, for its part, condemns these terrible acts and is determined to clean up and render justice to the victims. Christians are now called to remain united to face these attacks aimed at discrediting the Church and the many priests and religious who are carrying out their pastoral mission, with faith and purity of soul, at the service of the least”.