The Chaldean Catholic Patriarchate of Baghdad on March 25 announced the cancellation of all celebrations, media coverage, and reception of government officials on the occasion of Easter Sunday, which will take place on March 31, in protest of Baghdad’s decision to stop recognizing Patriarch Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako as the head of the Chaldean Church.

“This is out of solidarity with our father the Patriarch Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako, who, for six months, has been living far removed from his historical base in Baghdad, because the president of the republic has selectively withdrawn presidential decree no. 147 that dates to 2013, without any legal framework, with the aim being to appease a well-known political faction that has itself called for that in the media,” the Chaldean Patriarchate said in a statement.

Today in Ankawa the largest Chaldean & Christian city in Kurdistan & Iraq, though the rainy weather, tens of thousands of Christians participated at Palm Sunday prayers and celebrations marching from Mart Shmoni Church to Martyr Elia Church. Many thanks for security forces for… pic.twitter.com/0PFgaFSQdu

— Ano Abdoka ܐܢܘ ?آنو (@AnoAbdoka) March 23, 2024

On March 23, tens of thousands of Christians participated in Palm Sunday prayers and celebrations, marching from Mart Shmoni Church to Martyr Elia Church in Ankawa, Erbil.

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On July 3, 2023, Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid revoked a decree recognizing Cardinal Sako as the Patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church. In protest, Cardinal Sako moved from Baghdad to Erbil in July 2023, and was welcomed by the Kurdish leadership. 

Moreover, Rayan al-Kildani, the head of the Babylon Movement and the Iran-backed Babylon Brigades militia, has targeted Cardinal Sako and has attempted to take over Christian parliament seats, and seize endowments of the Church.

In a response to al-Kildani, the Chaldean Patriarchate said that “the patriarch has not killed, stolen public money or set up a militia outside the law, and he has not stirred up sectarian strife, but on the contrary he has defended the rights of all citizens.” 

“He has also contributed to enabling interfaith dialogue and has helped hundreds of families throughout Iraq by means of the Patriarchate and brotherly love. Patriarch Sako is well known for his faith, honesty, patriotism, and courage, and he does not fear the corrupt ones! What this well-known faction is broadcasting is the unending lies it has gotten used to telling.”

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On March 6 Cardinal Sako briefed U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary Victoria Taylor in Ankawa, Erbil, on the situation of the Christian community in Iraq during her visit to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.

On March 8, U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) Commissioner Stephen Schneck told Kurdistan Chronicle that the USCIRF was  deeply concerned over reports that “Popular Mobilization Forces leaders, including U.S.-designated abusers of religious minorities, have played a role in Baghdad’s decision to deny Cardinal Sako’s administrative authority.” 

“While the Iraqi government recently announced a committee to hear religious minorities’ property-related claims, we encourage Iraq to take further steps to ensure the country’s diverse religious communities have meaningful political representation and other rights,” Commissioner Schneck said.

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Nadine Maenza, President of the International Religious Freedom Secretariat and former Chair of the USCIRF, told Kurdistan Chronicle on March 26 that the cancellation of Easter festivities should draw attention to the dire situation of Christians in Iraq. 

“If Cardinal Sako could not withstand the threats in Baghdad, forcing him to move to the Kurdistan Region, imagine the vulnerabilities other Christians feel with the growing threats from Iran-backed militias. This Easter, my heart will be with Iraqi Christians, and all those enduring persecution because of their faith.”

Furthermore, Cardinal Sako told the website of the Patriarchate that “he will never barter at the expense of his dignity, the dignity of the church and the dignity of Christians, and he will not bow to anyone.”

He also called on “Christians to remain steadfast and pray, being certain that those who hold leadership will not remain in their leadership positions, while the Church remains and will not be broken. With God’s help, what endures is the homeland and the people.”