A Meeting with the Most Blessed His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Louis Raphaël Sako

Preparing for New Ecumenical Activities in Iraq 

His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Louis Raphaël Sako, Chaldean Patriarch in Iraq and the World, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), received Father Dr. Antoine Al Ahmar, Director of the MECC Theological and Ecumenical Department, on Monday 17 June 2024, at the Patriarchal headquarters in Erbil.

Noting that this visit comes as part of Father Al Ahmar’ tour in Iraq in order to prepare for the implementation of a new session of the “Spiritual and Psychological Support” program in the country, aiming at supporting the Parish ministers and their assistants to overcome the daily challenges. 

During the meeting, His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Louis Raphaël Sako highlighted the situation of the Church in Iraq and the activities of its members. As well as, His Beatitude was briefed about the latest updates of the Middle East Council of Churches’ work and the programs it is implementing with the aim of achieving the desired ecumenical and humanitarian goals. 

In his turn, Father Dr. Antoine Al-Ahmar thanked His Beatitude Patriarch Sako, for his support and hosting the new session of the “Spiritual and Psychological Support” program at the Seminary affiliated to the Patriarchal headquarters in Erbil. He also asked His Beatitude for his blessing and guidance before visiting the region’s Dioceses, Parishes, and Monasteries in Erbil, Qaraqosh, Karemlesh, Alqosh, Dohuk, and Zakho. 

In addition, discussions centered around implementing future ecumenical activities for the Middle East Council of Churches, Theological and Ecumenical Department, in Iraq, specifically in Baghdad.