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East County News Service
September 2, 2018 (El Cajon) – As sexual abuse scandals rock the Catholic Church, Patriarch Cardinal Luis Rafael Sako, head of the Chaldean Catholic Church in Babylon yesterday sent a letter to bishops published today by Kaldaya.ME, a Chaldean news site. In his letter, Patriarch Sako addresses “sexual harssment/ (solicitation)” and “concubinage” as well as financial scandals in the Chaldean Catholic Church.
ECM obtained an English translation of the document using Google Translate. Below are highlights:
“In the light of the Holy See's strict instructions on sexual harassment by some members of the clergy, I ask your ministers to educate the priests and warn them about the importance and seriousness of this topic,” the Patriarch says, then admits, “Frankly, we have complaints about some, but we do not believe them unless there is evidence, and when there is evidence we decide the subject no matter what the degree of the person ... There are some old files about some are not settled, should be observed. The pope recommends not covering up these people because the credibility of the Church is shaken.”
He also calls for financial transparency, stating, “A specialized and fair financial committee should be established in each diocese. The "agent" method can not be adopted. Sometimes the money or real estate was registered in the name of the cleric. When the person dies, the parents come and demand it.”
Instead he calls for adoption of “a precise professional approach based on the standards of integrity and transparency so that I would not have to form a financial commission to investigate the truth in some dioceses. I have been asked about the committee several times, but I postponed it because of the circumstances. I do not doubt the integrity of any of you. It is your immunity to me and we will not be held together.”
He alludes to a document expressing the Bishops’ will that was sent to the Patriarchate and Papal Embassy, adding that “it is my duty to raise awareness and caution before the ax falls under the banner of God forbid. In the face of a certain action against someone who caused moral or material damage, he explained that when he felt innocent and that the procedure was right, he could come to the Patriarchal or Roman court.” It is unclear to whom Patriarch Sako is referring in this passage, though possibly it's a referemce to the Chaldean Catholic diocese of Australia and New Zeland, where there have been allegations of sexual abuse.
He indicates that the bishops sent a message to Pope Francis “expressing his close proximity to the Chaldean Church and praying for it in this storm of criticism, especially caused by the message of the former papal ambassador Vigano,” a reference to Archbishop Vigano’s claims that Pope Francis and Pope Benedict were aware of child abuse claims made against former Washington D.C.. Archbishop Theodore McCarrick before his recent resignation.
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