Analysis
Inside Iraq’s Chaldean Catholic Church battle with Iran-backed Christian group
The Babylon Movement and its sanctioned leader, Rayan al-Kaldani, are feuding with Chaldean Patriarch Louis Sako, leading to significant controversy that now involves the United States and the Vatican.
A dispute between the Iraqi government and the Chaldean Catholic Church has prompted the church's patriach to move from Baghdad to the Kurdistan Region, and is inflaming tensions with the United States.
The issue relates to Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid revoking a decree that codified the patriarch's management of the community endowment, as well as the escalating battle between the church and an Iran-backed Iraqi Christian leader.
Background
On July 3, Rashid revoked a 2013 decree that recognized Patriarch Louis Sako as head of the Chaldean Catholic Church and allowed the religious leader to administer the community’s endowment. Rashid said the decree had no constitutional basis, according to Agence France-Presse.
