Iraq: Cardinal Sako Highlights Unity Among Churches as a Sign of Shared Faith

Baghdad, Iraq, January 22, 2025: Patriarch Louis Raphaël Sako, the head of Iraq’s Chaldean Catholic Church, has called for enhanced collaboration among Christian Churches worldwide, emphasizing their shared faith and mission. In his message for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, observed from January 18 to 25, Cardinal Sako underlined the importance of various Churches working together on issues such as peace, justice, and human rights while celebrating the diversity within Christianity.

“Unity is not about merging Churches into a single entity but rather embracing diversity and working together despite differences,” the Patriarch stated in his pastoral message. He stressed that this unity is both spiritual and practical, rooted in mutual respect and shared belief.

Diversity as Richness, Not Division

Cardinal Sako dismissed the idea of unity as an administrative or structural merging of Churches, instead advocating for the preservation of each Church’s unique history, traditions, and governance. He urged Christians to view diversity as a source of enrichment. “Dialogue and a shared vision are the paths to closer relationships between Christian traditions,” he remarked.

Shared Foundations of Faith

Highlighting commonalities among various Christian Churches, particularly between the Catholic and Orthodox traditions, Cardinal Sako noted the common beliefs that both denominations share, such as the Creed of faith from the Councils of Nicaea (325) and Constantinople (381), apostolic succession, and the celebration of the seven Sacraments. He also praised Protestant Churches for initiating the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, despite internal fragmentation within their traditions.

Cardinal Sako further referenced the introduction into the Catholic liturgical calendar of the feast day of the 2015 Coptic martyrs killed by ISIS and the recent decision of Pope Francis to include Saint Isaac of Nineveh from the Church of the East in the Roman Martyrology. Such gestures symbolize a growing acknowledgment of shared sanctity and spiritual heritage.

Practical Steps Towards Unity

In his message, Cardinal Sako emphasized the need for practical expression of unity through cooperation. He called for collaboration between all the Churches to create joint commissions for scientific research on the Bible, theology, liturgy, and catechism. He also called for organizing joint seminars on topics of common interest, the exchange of spiritual experiences, and the preparation of clergy who believe in working together and speaking with one voice on moral issues.

The Patriarch also highlighted the responsibility of the Churches to address societal challenges, including poverty, corruption, environmental degradation, and extremism.

“This cooperation strengthens social cohesion and peace,” Cardinal Sako stated, adding that it aligns with Christ’s mission and the role of the Church in various contexts.

A Model of Cooperation: Syria

As a concrete example, Cardinal Sako pointed to Syria, where Churches have united after the fall of Bashar Al Assad to advocate for a civil system based on citizenship and religious freedom. “This,” he said, “is how Churches bear witness to unity and hope.”

Cardinal Sako's message underscores his vision of unity as an active, collaborative effort that respects diversity while addressing shared challenges.

Courtesy: Vatican News