Patriarch Louis Raphael Sako request Ecclesiastica Communio from the Bishop of Rome

VATICAN CITY, February 04, 2013 thanks to Zenit.org - Here is the translation of the request by the newly elected Patriarch of Babylon of the Chaldeans, Louis Raphaël I Sako, to Pope Benedict XVI. 

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January 31, 2013

Most Holy Father,

The Synod of the Chaldean Church, convened by Your Holiness in Rome at the House of Spiritual Exercises of Santi Giovanni e Paolo al Celio of the Passionist Fathers from January 28, 2013, and chaired in Your name by His Eminence Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, Prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches, after invoking the Holy Spirit and praying for the intercession of the Most Holy Mother of God, in an atmosphere of peaceful sharing, as convened in its last meeting, has elected me Patriarch of the Chaldean Church and, succeeding His Beatitude, Eminence Cardinal Emmanuel III Delly, who, with courage and zeal led the Chaldean Church in a critical juncture in its history, I have taken the name of Louis Raphaël I Sako.

In accordance with the ecclesiastical customs and the Canons of the Eastern Churches, I implore of Your Holiness, the "Ecclesiastica Communio", promising to be faithful to Our Lord in the announcement of the Good News and to work for unity and harmony, as well as to lead with zeal and dedication Your flock entrusted to me.

To Your Holiness, Supreme Pastor of the Universal Church and the Successor of St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles, I express my loyalty, reverence, obedience and filial devotion, and beg your Apostolic Blessing upon my humble person in the new mission, upon the Pastors and all the faithful of the Chaldean Church, which, with courage, hope and living testimony faces everyday life both in our homeland and in the diaspora.

To your beloved person I express heartfelt thanks for the Paternal care and pastoral concern expressed particularly towards the Chaldean Church.

Louis Raphaël I Sako,
Patriarch of Babylon of the Chaldeans

[Translation by Peter Waymel]