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Chaldean Seminary and Theological
University inaugurated in Kurdistan Region
15.1.2007 |
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After being forced to leave Baghdad, the Chaldean
Church's two educational institutions have reopened.
Meanwhile the capital is being emptied of its
Christians whose historic neighbourhood is presently
in the hands of Sunni militias.
January 15, 2007
Ankawa, Erbil, Kurdistan Region (Iraq), -– Erbil's
Chaldean bishop, Mgr Rabban al-Qas, told AsiaNews
that the doors to the Chaldean Major Seminary and
Babel College, Iraq’s only theological faculty run
by the Chaldean Church, have reopened in Kurdistan
after shutting down because of the growing
insecurity in the Iraq.
The two institutions were in fact officially
inaugurated last Thursday after moving from Baghdad
to Ankawa, near Erbil, in Kurdistan.
The reopening of the college was marked by a mass in
the Mar Eliya Chaldean Church, celebrated by Mgr
Jacques Isaac, rector of Babel College. |
Photo: Asia it |
In addition to many faithful, Mgr Andraous Abouna,
vicar patriarch representing the Chaldean Patriarch
Emmanuel III Delly who stayed in Baghdad, and Sarkis
Aghajan, a Christian and finance minister in
Kurdistan’s regional government, were present.
About 25 seminarians are registered at Babel College
but there are many other students who are studying
theology and philosophy.
Moving the two institutions was a difficult
decision. It was made official on January 4 but had
been expected for some time.
Abductions, assaults and threats to the Christian
community in the capital convinced the Patriarchate
first to shut both college and seminar down, then to
move them.
AsiaNews sources in Baghdad, who preferred to remain
anonymous, said that the Christians left in the city
are poorest, those who cannot afford to move
elsewhere.
“As for the rest, they have all fled,” they said.
“Dora, the historic Christian neighbourhood is [now]
in the hands of Sunni militias.”
Moving around the capital is increasingly difficult
and dangerous. “If you try to go in or out of a
neighbourhood you have to ask permission from
militias who are in charge; otherwise you might end
up kidnapped or killed.”
asianews it
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