The Apostolic Nuncio’s Visit to the Chaldean Archdiocese of Erbil
The Chaldean Archdiocese of Erbil welcomed His Excellency Archbishop Mirosław Adamczyk, Apostolic Nuncio to Iraq, during a pastoral visit held from May 13 to 16. The visit included ecclesiastical and official meetings, as well as visits to educational, monastic, and humanitarian institutions. It reflected the Holy See’s ongoing support for the presence and mission of the Church in Iraq, and its commitment to promoting coexistence, dialogue, and service to humanity.
His Excellency arrived at Erbil International Airport on the evening of Tuesday, May 13, at the beginning of his visit to the Archdiocese. He was received by His Grace Archbishop Bashar Matti Warda, Archbishop of the Chaldean Archdiocese of Erbil, and Mr. Khalid Al-Bayr, Director of Christian Affairs Endowments. During his stay, the Apostolic Nuncio resided at the Archbishopric in Ankawa, where he continued his pastoral and official meetings in an atmosphere of fraternity and cooperation with the local Church.
On Wednesday, May 14, His Excellency began his activities with a meeting with Mr. Pshtiwan Sadiq, Minister of Endowments and Religious Affairs, and Mr. Khalid Al-Bayr, Director of Christian Affairs Endowments. Discussions emphasized the importance of joint cooperation in strengthening the values of citizenship and peaceful coexistence among the various components of Iraqi society. He also met with Mr. Masrour Barzani, Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government, where discussions focused on the situation of Christians in Iraq and the historic role of the Church in education, humanitarian service, and peacebuilding.
Within the pastoral and educational framework of the visit, the Apostolic Nuncio visited Mar Qardakh International School and the Catholic University in Erbil, where he was briefed on the academic and educational efforts dedicated to serving younger generations. The visit also included the convent of the Chaldean Daughters of the Sacred Heart, the Novitiate House of the Chaldean Sisters Daughters of Mary, and the churches of Saints Peter and Paul, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, and Mar Gorgis. During these visits, he met with the faithful, priests, monks, and religious sisters, praising the steadfast witness of the Church in Iraq and expressing appreciation for the efforts of clergy and staff serving in the Archdiocese’s parishes and institutions in the pastoral, educational, and humanitarian fields.
His Excellency also visited Bishop Nicodemos Daoud Matti Sharaf and met with His Holiness Mar Awa III, Catholicos-Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East, in a meeting marked by fraternity and ecumenical spirit, reflecting the deep bonds between the Churches and their shared mission in serving the faithful and strengthening Christian unity.
On Thursday, May 15, the Apostolic Nuncio continued his visits to educational and pastoral institutions, including Al-Bishara Elementary School, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Secondary School, St. Thomas Church, and Maryamana Elementary School. He also visited the Centre Numérique des Manuscrits Orientaux, where he was received by Archbishop Najeeb Michaeel. In the evening, he participated in the Solemn Mass for the Feast of the Ascension at the Cathedral, offering prayers for peace in Iraq and throughout the world, and praying that the Church may continue to be a sign of hope and a living witness to the Gospel. He also reaffirmed the Holy Father’s love and closeness to the Church in Iraq.
On Friday, the visit included the Chaldean Monastery and the Dominican Sisters’ Convent, where His Excellency learned about the spiritual and educational mission carried out by the religious communities in service to the Church and society. He also met with Mr. Nechirvan Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Region, during which both sides stressed the importance of protecting religious and cultural diversity and safeguarding the dignity of all Iraqi communities.
At the conclusion of his visit on Saturday, May 16, the Apostolic Nuncio visited Radio Mariam and Ankawa Humanitarian Organization, commending their important media and humanitarian role in promoting a culture of hope and solidarity. He also met with His Beatitude Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako and visited the Dominican Fathers’ Monastery. His final official meeting was with President Masoud Barzani, where the importance of continued cooperation in building a future marked by peace, stability, and coexistence was reaffirmed. Prior to his departure, he met at Erbil International Airport with Mr. Ano Jawhar, Minister of Transport and Communications in the Kurdistan Regional Government.
Throughout his visit, His Excellency met with numerous ecclesiastical, social, and cultural figures, expressing his appreciation for the perseverance of Christians in Iraq and for the Church’s enduring mission in preserving hope, serving humanity, and promoting a culture of love and dialogue within society.
