Paul KeenanPope Francis has sent a message to followers of the Chaldean Church on the passing of Patriarch Emeritus Cardinal Emmanuel III Delly, who died April 9 at the age of 87.
In a message delivered to the Church’s current leader, Patriarch, Raphael Louis Sako I, the Pope stated: “I offer you, the clergy, men and women religious and lay faithful of the Patriarchate, both in Iraq and in the diaspora, my condolences and the assurance of my prayers. I recall with deep gratitude the late Patriarch’s dedication to his people and to the promotion of respectful, just and peaceful relations with followers of other religious traditions.”
Born in 1927 in Telkaif, Iraq, the late Patriarch Delly was ordained in 1952 in Rome. He became auxiliary to Patriarch Paul II Cheikho in 1963 before returning to Rome to attend the Second Vatican Council. Having resigned due to age in 2002, a year later he was elected Patriarch of Babylon as Iraq descended into war.
In a statement announcing his predecessor’s death, Patriarch Sako said: "Cardinal Delly served the Chaldean Church for more than 60 years with dedication…He suffered moments of difficulty: the revolution in 1958; the wars in the last decades; the persecution of Christians followed by the invasion of the USA. In all this time he remained loyal to his country and to his people, he did not abandon his flock, he remained with his faithful, praying, helping, encouraging them.”