"La situazione sta peggiorando. Gridate con noi che i diritti umani sono calpestati da persone che parlano in nome di Dio ma che non sanno nulla di Lui che è Amore, mentre loro agiscono spinti dal rancore e dall'odio.
Gridate: Oh! Signore, abbi misericordia dell'Uomo."

Mons. Shleimun Warduni
Baghdad, 19 luglio 2014

1 gennaio 2026

Cardinal Sako Targeted After Christmas Homily Misinterpreted as Political “Normalization”

By Chaldean Press
December 30, 2025

Chaldean Catholic Patriarch Cardinal Louis Raphaël Sako is facing an escalating campaign of intimidation after a Christmas Mass message was widely misread—and then weaponized—by hardline voices in Iraq and beyond.
According to statements from the Chaldean Patriarchate and reporting on the incident, Cardinal Sako used the word commonly translated as “normalization” during his Christmas homily as part of a spiritual appeal for reconciliation, social healing, and restoring trust among Iraqis. In the Patriarch’s intended meaning, “normalization” was not a geopolitical signal, but a call for Iraq’s internal stability and the rebuilding of relationships—among families, communities, and the nation.
A spiritual word turned into a political accusation
In Iraq’s current climate, language matters—especially language that can be linked, even indirectly, to Israel-related policy. The term “normalization” is often treated as shorthand for “normalization with Israel,” and that association can ignite immediate outrage.
That is what happened here: critics took a word used in a religious, pastoral context and reframed it as political messaging. Within hours, the narrative online shifted from a Christmas appeal for peace to accusations that the Patriarch was endorsing forbidden political positions—an allegation the Patriarchate says is false.
“If you want to take me to trial…”
As rhetoric intensified, a statement attributed to Cardinal Sako began circulating widely:
Whether quoted verbatim or paraphrased across outlets, the meaning is consistent: the Patriarch is presenting himself as willing to bear personal consequences rather than abandon Iraq or retreat from his mission.
For many Chaldeans, that line captured what they have long believed about their Patriarch: he is not seeking confrontation—he is refusing to be bullied into silence.
Clarification came, but the escalation continued
After the uproar grew, the Chaldean Patriarchate clarified that the message was spiritual—not political, emphasizing themes of peace, national cohesion, and Iraq’s dignity. They rejected the claim that Cardinal Sako was calling for normalization with Israel
Yet the controversy did not fade. Instead, demands grew louder—some calling for investigations, prosecution, or worse. What began as a misunderstanding quickly became a campaign.
Why this hits a nerve for Chaldeans everywhere
Chaldeans don’t have the luxury of treating threats as “just talk.” Iraq’s Christian communities have lived through decades of displacement, targeted violence, and the steady erosion of their presence—through insecurity, coercion, and land disputes.
So when a spiritual leader is publicly framed as a criminal or traitor based on a single word—then subjected to a wave of agitation—it feels less like ordinary controversy and more like a familiar pattern: isolate the minority, smear the leader, and apply pressure until the community retreats.
For many believers, Cardinal Sako is not simply a church figure. He represents continuity—an anchor for a people who have lost too much already.
What Chaldean Press found
Chaldean Press spoke with parishioners and community members who followed the Christmas Mass closely. The consistent takeaway was simple: most did not hear politics in the Patriarch’s message. They heard a pastor urging people toward peace and moral renewal—especially fitting for Christmas.
And that’s the heart of the story: a religious message aimed at healing was pulled into political conflict, and the consequences are now falling on the Patriarch and the community he serves.
Where this stands now
Cardinal Sako’s position remains clear: his homily was about Iraq’s social restoration and spiritual peace—not foreign policy. But the campaign against him shows how quickly faith leaders can become targets when language is twisted in a tense environment.
Chaldean Press will continue monitoring developments, including any official actions and any verified threats—because for a community that has already endured so much, this is not a story about “drama.” It’s about safety, survival, and the cost of simply preaching peace.
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