I have been closely following the many news outlets covering Father Noel Gorgis, St. Peter Chaldean Church of El Cajon’s priest. He is just one of the Chaldean priests that Bishop Louis Raphael Sako, the head of the Chaldean Catholic Church in Iraq has called back to Iraq to help preserve the Chaldean churches there. After much petitioning,
I have been closely following the many news outlets covering Father Noel Gorgis, St. Peter Chaldean Church of El Cajon’s priest. He is just one of the Chaldean priests that Bishop Louis Raphael Sako, the head of the Chaldean Catholic Church in Iraq has called back to Iraq to help preserve the Chaldean churches there. After much petitioning,
I was thrilled to hear the Pope Francis (head of the Roman Catholic Church) decided that he and the others do not have to obey Sako’s orders. Yet, Sako is still standing strong on his decision and threatening excommunication from the church if they decide to remain in the U.S.
I am dumbfounded with his decision, but I do somewhat understand his reasoning in trying to salvage the Chaldean community still in Iraq. But I believe there is more at stake.
I agree with Gorgis’ belief that if he were to return now it would be a suicide mission and although I realize that many in Christianity risk their lives everyday throughout many places in the world in preaching the gospel, I stand by his decision to stay here. But it is not because of threat of death that he would face if he decided to go.
Iraqi Christians are still massively fleeing the country under the persecution of ISIS and many of them will find a home here. And this is why it is important that Gorgis stays. It is imperative that the Chaldean refugees of Iraq have a church here that can minister to them as they make the dramatic transition of relocating from their country of birth to a completely unknown new land. Especially under such a dire and uncontrollable situation, they need the comfort and leadership of their faith. Without it, many would be lost because their faith is about the only thing that they have left. Taking this away from the many Chaldeans here is a bad decision.
I cannot begin to imagine what it is like to flee your country for fear of death because of your beliefs. Having a church that follows the traditions and beliefs of their homeland has to be nothing short of a sanctuary for young and old refugees. It would be so much harder for all of them to find their way here without the dedication and support of the priest and congregation of these churches.
So I believe that Gorgis should stay here in America and defy the bishop’s orders just as Sako is defying the pope’s decision. Let the bishop excommunicate him. I do not believe that it would stop him from leading his flock. And let us not forget that Gorgis is now an American and he has made this his home. This is where he belongs and this is where he is needed the most.
If he were to decide to go back to Iraq on his own accord, I would support that, but I feel that the bishop is behaving more like a general rather than a man of God.
If Sako follows through on his threats, I will be one of the first to petition the pope to overturn Sako’s actions. And I am not Catholic. It is my hope that the pope will bring Sako to the Vatican and have a heart to heart talk with him and get him to change his mind.
If and when refugee priests decide on their own that they are needed more in Iraq than here, then they are free to follow their heart and faith and do so. But this decision should be theirs and theirs alone.
Gorgis is needed here in El Cajon. There are too many hear that look to him for leadership, comfort and ministry in their lives.
