View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Heythrop College Publications 1 The Chaldean Catholic Church: A study in modern history, ecclesiology and church-state relations (2003–2013) F. Kristian Girling Department of Theology, Heythrop College, University of London PhD Theology 2015 2 Abstract This thesis provides a modern historical study of the Chaldean Catholic Church in Iraq from 2003 to 2013 with analysis of the origins and ecclesiological development of the Chaldean community from the sixteenth century onwards. I offer an insight into the formation of Chaldean ecclesiological identity and organisation in the context of the Chaldeans as a community originating from the ecclesial traditions of the Church of the East and as an eastern Catholic Church in union with the Holy See. I argue for the gradual if consistent development of a Chaldean identity grounded and incarnated in the Mesopotamian-Iraqi environment yet open to engaging with cultures throughout the Middle East and West Asia and especially since 2003 to Europe, north America and Australasia. The thesis also provides an assessment of the contemporary status of the Chaldean dioceses of Iraq highlighting the size, influence and historical development of these structures to October 2013. I attempt to increase awareness of the Chaldeans as an essential part of Iraqi society and as to the crucial social ``difference'' which they established and maintained throughout their history. A ``difference'' which is only as a result of extreme persecution being removed from Iraq. The thesis concludes by opening up examination for the potential for further ecclesiological developments which may occur in light of events since the 2003 Iraq War and the rise of Da'esh in 2014 and considerations of full ecclesial communion with the Chaldeans' sister community the Assyrian Church of the East. 3 Copyright and Plagiarism Declaration Form This form must be completed and submitted at the same time that you submit your Examination Entry Form The copyright of this thesis rests with the author and no quotation from it or information derived from it may be published without the prior written consent of the author. A thesis which is accepted by the College for the award of a Research Degree is placed in the Library of the College, and an electronic copy may be placed in an open access institutional e-repository. The copyright of the thesis is retained by the author. As you are about to submit a thesis for a Research Degree, you are required to sign the declarations below. The declarations will be destroyed if your thesis is not approved by the examiners, being either rejected or referred for revision. Dean of Research Students NAME IN FULL FIELD KRISTIAN GIRLING TITLE OF THESIS The Chaldean Catholic Church: A study in modern history, ecclesiology and church-state relations (2003–2013) DEGREE FOR WHICH THESIS IS PRESENTED PhD THEOLOGY................... COPYRIGHT DECLARATION1 1. I agree that the thesis presented by me for examination for the MPhil/PhD Degree of the University of London shall, if a degree is awarded, be deposited in the library or electronic institutional repository of Heythrop College and that, subject to the conditions set out below, my thesis will be made available for public reference, inter-library loan and copying. 2. I authorise the College authorities to retain a digital copy of the abstract of my thesis for inclusion in any published list of theses offered for higher degrees in British universities or in any supplement thereto, or for consultation in any central file of abstracts of such theses. 3. I authorise the College Library, or its designated agents, to hold a digital copy of my thesis for the purposes of electronic public access, inter-library loan or the supply of copies. 4. I warrant that this authorisation does not, to the best of my belief, infringe the rights of any third party. 5. I understand that in the event of my thesis not being approved by the examiners this declaration will become void. Date................................... Signature...................................................................... PLAGIARISM DECLARATION 1. I certify that the work presented in this thesis contains no unacknowledged direct copying from the work of another person or close paraphrasing of previous work (including my own which has been presented elsewhere) and that any reference to other sources has been properly acknowledged in the bibliography according to academic custom and practice. Date................................... Signature...................................................................... 1 The University’s Ordinances make provision for restriction of access to a research thesis and/or the abstract but only in certain specified circumstances and for a maximum period of two years. If you wish to apply for such restriction, please enquire about the conditions and procedures. 4 Acknowledgements This thesis has been the fruit of work undertaken over a three year period since October 2012. I have been greatly fortunate to have received support from a very wide array of individuals and institutions to ensure its completion. In the first instance I am particularly grateful to His Grace Bashar Warda CSsR, Chaldean Archbishop of Erbil who provided me with a substantial grant which permitted me to complete this research project. I am also very grateful for the kindness, hospitality, time and resources which His Grace and all the members of the Chaldean Church in northern Iraq offered me during fieldwork in the region in October 2013. Likewise the Chaldean communities in the UK and Jordan were strong supporters of my research during visits in 2012-2014 and May-June 2013 respectively. Rev. Frs Imad Twal and Khalil Jaar of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and Rev. Fr Raymond Moussali of the Chaldean Catholic Church very generously acted as my hosts during fieldwork in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. My supervisor, Anthony O'Mahony, throughout the research and writing process has offered exacting but essential vital critique of my work along with substantial academic and career advice for which I am very grateful. I am very grateful to my parents for their care and support over the last three years, their advice during times of reflection on research and the opportunity they have offered to permit me to complete this thesis in a quiet and peaceful environment. The Living Stones of the Holy Land Trust, the Jerusalem and the Middle East Church Association and the St Jude's Trust all also kindly supported me through grant funding. Finally I must recognise the continued direction and sustained substantial support which Dr Suha Rassam has granted during the research, fieldwork and writing of the thesis. Without her interest in and commitment to raising awareness of the Chaldeans both in Iraq, the wider Middle East and internationally research would never have begun and it is to her that this thesis is principally dedicated. In honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary and in remembrance and recognition of all the suffering Christians of Iraq `For whatsoever is born of God, overcometh the world: and this is the victory which overcometh the world, our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?' 1 John V: 4-5 5 Table of Contents Abstract...........................................................................................................2 Copyright and Plagiarism Declaration Form..................................................3 Acknowledgements.........................................................................................4 Introduction...................................................................................................10 Nomenclature...........................................................................................11 Nestorian.............................................................................................12 East Syriac...........................................................................................13 The significance of church-state relations in East Syriac history............13 Note on approach.....................................................................................15 The origins and status of the Church of the East to the late medieval period.......................................................................................................17 1. The origins and early development of the Chaldean Catholic community (fifteenth–eighteenth centuries)....................................................................19 Chaldean origins......................................................................................19 First Union...............................................................................................20 Context and status of the Church of the East in 1450 and the development of hereditary succession to the patriarchate.............................................23 First Chaldean hierarchy..........................................................................25 Sulaqa's status quo and legacy.................................................................34 Early Chaldean identity............................................................................36 Sulaqa's successors...................................................................................37 Latin presence in Mesopotamia (I)..........................................................41 Legitimist