Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Paris (Fides Service) - “We are making the journey to show our love for John Paul II and to render him tribute. We are grateful to the Holy Father for all that he did for the Chaldean Catholic Church and for all Iraqis”. Many ex-patriot Iraqi Chaldean Catholics resident in Paris and other parts of France are on their way to Rome where they plan to stay until after the funeral on Friday 8 April.
Chaldean Catholics first settled in France about fifty years ago. At present Bishop Petrus Yousif is in charge of the community which has several churches in Paris, Marseilles and other towns and is involved in pastoral and cultural activities. The community, about 18,000, is cared for by Chaldean clergy and men and women religious, including the Sisters, Daughters of the Sacred Heart who recently arrived from Iraq. Liturgy is celebrated in Arabic, Aramaic and French.
(PA) (Agenzia Fides 5/04/2005 Righe: 16 Parole: 132)
