Chaldean Catholic Church

Chaldean Catholic Church
150px Coat of arms of the Chaldean Catholic Church
Classification	Eastern Catholic Churches
Orientation	Syriac Christianity
Theology	Catholic theology
Polity	Episcopal polity
Governance	Synod
Patriarch of Babylon of the Chaldeans	Louis Raphaël I Sako
Region	Iraq, Iran, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, United States, Australia, Europe
Language	Syriac, Arabic
Liturgy	East Syriac Rite
Headquarters	Baghdad, Iraq
Origin	1552
Separated from	Assyrian Church of the East
Members	Approximately 628,405

The Chaldean Catholic Church is an Eastern Catholic Church that follows the East Syriac Rite and is in full communion with the Holy See of Rome. It is part of the larger family of Syriac Christianity and traces its origins to the ancient Church of the East.

History

The Chaldean Catholic Church was established in 1552 when a group of bishops from the Assyrian Church of the East elected Yohannan Sulaqa as their patriarch, seeking communion with the Roman Catholic Church. This move was partly in response to internal disputes within the Assyrian Church and the desire for reform and unity with Rome.

Yohannan Sulaqa traveled to Rome and was consecrated as the first Patriarch of the Chaldeans by Pope Julius III. This marked the beginning of the Chaldean Catholic Church as a distinct entity within the Catholic communion.

Over the centuries, the Chaldean Catholic Church has faced numerous challenges, including persecution, political upheaval, and emigration. Despite these challenges, it has maintained its distinct liturgical and cultural traditions.

Liturgy and Language

The Chaldean Catholic Church uses the East Syriac Rite, which is one of the oldest Christian liturgical rites. The liturgy is celebrated in the Syriac language, a dialect of Aramaic, which was the language spoken by Jesus Christ.

The liturgical calendar of the Chaldean Church includes several unique feasts and observances, reflecting its ancient heritage and the influence of both Eastern and Western Christian traditions.

Structure and Governance

The Chaldean Catholic Church is governed by a synod of bishops, with the Patriarch of Babylon of the Chaldeans serving as the head of the Church. The current patriarch is Louis Raphaël I Sako, who has been in office since 2013.

The Church is organized into several eparchies (dioceses) around the world, with significant communities in Iraq, Iran, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, and the diaspora in North America, Australia, and Europe.

Demographics

The Chaldean Catholic Church has approximately 628,405 members worldwide. The largest concentration of Chaldean Catholics is in Iraq, where they have historically been a significant Christian community.

In recent years, many Chaldean Catholics have emigrated due to conflict and instability in the Middle East, leading to growing communities in the United States, particularly in Michigan and California, as well as in Australia and various European countries.

Relations with Other Churches

The Chaldean Catholic Church maintains a close relationship with the Assyrian Church of the East, from which it originated. In recent decades, there have been efforts to improve relations and foster dialogue between the two churches.

The Chaldean Church is also an active participant in the Catholic communion, contributing to the ecumenical movement and engaging in dialogue with other Christian denominations.

See also

• Eastern Catholic Churches
• Syriac Christianity
• Assyrian Church of the East
• Louis Raphaël I Sako

References

• Baumer, Christoph. The Church of the East: An Illustrated History of Assyrian Christianity. I.B. Tauris, 2006.
• Wilmshurst, David. The Ecclesiastical Organisation of the Church of the East, 1318-1913. Peeters Publishers, 2000.

External links

• Official website of the Chaldean Catholic Church