He wasn’t even actually calling for normalization with Israel, but why pass up an opportunity to “strike terror in the enemies of Allah” (Qur’an 8:60)?
“Muslim radicals call for the execution of a cardinal in Iraq,” by Elizabeth Owens, Zenit, January 5, 2026:
A single word, spoken from the pulpit on Christmas, has placed one of the Middle East’s most prominent Christian leaders under mounting pressure. Cardinal Louis Raphaël Sako, Patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church, is facing an escalating campaign of intimidation in Iraq and neighboring Iran after remarks from his Christmas homily were lifted out of their pastoral context and reframed as a political provocation.
At the heart of the controversy lies the Arabic term commonly rendered as “normalization.” In his homily, Cardinal Sako employed the word as part of a spiritual appeal for healing after years of conflict: a call for social stability, restored trust among citizens, and reconciliation between families, communities and the Iraqi nation as a whole. According to the Chaldean Patriarchate, the intent was unmistakably religious, rooted in the Christmas message of peace and renewal, and entirely detached from regional geopolitics.
Yet in Iraq’s highly charged environment, language is never neutral. The word “normalization” has become politically radioactive, often used as shorthand for normalizing relations with Israel, an issue that can ignite immediate outrage. Critics seized on that association, recasting a pastoral exhortation as an alleged endorsement of forbidden political positions. Within hours, online narratives transformed a Christmas message into accusations of political betrayal.
The Patriarchate responded swiftly, stressing that the homily had no political content and explicitly rejecting claims that Cardinal Sako was advocating normalization with Israel. Officials reiterated that the message focused on peace, national cohesion and the dignity of Iraq, themes that have long marked the patriarch’s public ministry. The clarification, however, did little to stem the backlash….
Cardinal Sako’s own reported response underscores both the gravity of the moment and the depth of his commitment to his country. “If they want to put me on trial and execute me for the sake of Iraq, so be it,” he is quoted as saying. The remark, stark and unsettling, reflects the precarious position of Christian leaders in a region where theological language can be repurposed as political evidence, and where calls for peace may carry personal risk….
࿗Infidel࿘ says
All those shi’a jihadists in Iraq should recognize that their main patron next door is about to collapse, and they’re not gonna be bankrolled by the replacement. That would make them the only shi’a country in the world (since Bahrein is under the control of the Hanafas and Azerbaijan is more a Turish than shi’a country), surrounded by sunnis on 3 sides and a secular but anti-shi’a Iran on their east. Probably a good time for Iraqi shi’a to embrace something unprecedented in islam: Live and let live, whether it’s Jews, Christians, sunni Arabs, Kurds, Yazidis or Zoroastrians. You are not Iran, and are not gonna pull off what the islamic republic did the last 47 years
somehistory says
Calling the ‘pope’, calling the pope. What say you? For whom do you care? The priest from your outfit, or those who are calling for his murder? Was he “asking for it”?
GE says
Expect “crickets”. That’s all I expect.
somehistory says
In his shoes, a person would have to realize that to continue as he has been, would say to Catholics everywhere that he is against them….and then what?
To defend the man, he would have to have a grain of Truth in his heart and a spine.
I don’t think he possesses either.
WPM says
The trouble is “the Pope” steps into issues politically like America, taking out a communist terrorist Dictator for trial in America the Pope saying publicly it is wrong .Or that all western Europe and North America should take an endless stream of millions of unvetted “Moslem refugees “in ,and if they refuse they are “unchristian:.. He is silent and overly cautious about saying anything about Moslem thugs threating leaders of his flock with murder for just saying the gospel without involving Islam or the local authority thugs in Christmas’s mass? ?
gravenimage says
Grimly true.
Cynthia says
Islam is for division, then dominance. Bethlehem in the Palestinian territory was 80%
Christian and is now 20%. Harassment and outright violence has caused Christians to run for their lives.
Jewish and Christian communities were quite large and then wiped out in the Middle East. Israel is the only country where the Christian population is growing.
Everywhere else in the region Christians are afraid to speak up against their oppression.
Randy Walter says
Here is the Catholic pope gifting a president a Communist hammer and sickle.
Who will Catholics look for to leadership?
Randy walter says
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-10/bolivian-communist-crucifix-gift-to-pope-surprises-vatican/6610384
Tim gallagher says
All.muslims do is call for the death of non members of their satanically evil cult and murder and rape non Muslims. What a rotten job it would be being a Christian clergyman in a horrendous Muslim country. Even worse being a run of the mill Christian. People who believe that Muslims are peaceful are brain dead. There is so much evidence to the contrary.
gravenimage says
Iraq: Muslims call for murder of Roman Catholic cardinal for seeming to call for ‘normalization’ with Israel
…………………………………………………
They want to murder him for opining that it might be good not to murder Jews?
God, I hate Islam. I hope this good man survives.
somehistory says
Newsweek
“ISIS tells Christians they can “spare their blood” if they convert”
“Islamic State group fighters in Nigeria told Christians they could “spare their blood by converting to Islam” during an attack on a village the day after Christmas.
A recent issue of the group’s weekly newsletter Al-Naba, translated by Newsweek, said, “A security source told Al-Naba that Nigerian Nusari [a derogative word the group uses for Christians] are a legitimate target for the mujahideen and that they have the opportunity to spare their blood by converting to Islam or paying the jizya to the Muslim Imam in the West Africa Province.”
U.S. Representative Riley Moore, a Republican from West Virginia who has long been outspoken about attacks on Christians in Nigeria, wrote on X in response to news of the group’s statement: “If there were any remaining doubts that Christians in Nigeria are being targeted for their faith in Jesus Christ, this should end that debate.”
The Nigerian government has repeated its long-standing denials that Christians are being targeted for their religion, telling Newsweek, “Terrorists in Nigeria target anyone who stands in their way, Christian or Muslim.”
Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) made its statement about Christians’ “opportunity to spare their blood by converting to Islam” alongside an image of the burning village Timwai, in Adamawa state in northeastern Nigeria, on December 26, according to Newsweek‘s translation of the Al-Naba newsletter.
This attack was recorded by the Middle East Media Research Institute, which reported that ISWAP had claimed responsibility for it. Four Christians are believed to have been shot dead in the attack, but this has not been confirmed. Newsweek has contacted Adamawa’s local government for comment via email
Moore, commenting on a post about the group’s statement shared by West and East Africa analyst Brant Philip, wrote on X: “This isn’t about land usage, ‘climate change,’ or any other argument the Left wants to make. This is persecution of our brothers and sisters for their faith in Christ, plain and simple..
“Alkasim Abdulkadir, the special assistant on media and communications strategy to Nigeria’s minister of foreign affairs, pushed back against this characterization.
“It is inaccurate to claim or insist that ISWAP/Boko Haram targets Christians only,” he told Newsweek. “The evidence suggests otherwise, it shows they attack both Christian and Muslim communities alike.”
“Their objective is to intimidate the entire population and undermine Nigeria’s constitutional order,” he added.”
there is more to the article.”
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/isis-tells-christians-they-can-spare-their-blood-if-they-convert/ar-AA1TPxsf?ocid=msedgntp&pc=HCTS&cvid=2490b325838a4bcef068d74d939610e7&ei=23
Iboga Ark says
Why ICC IS QUITLY
OLD GUY says
He is a brave christian man and priest, God bless and keep him.