FEBRUARY 2004

around the WORLD
a new leader
Chaldean bishops elect a new patriarch
for the Chaldean diocese
BY MERVIT BASHI
Mar Emmanuel III
DELLY Chaldean
Patriarch
Several months after Mar Raphael I Bidawid passed away, 22
Chaldean Bishops from around the world gathered at the
Vatican in Rome, Italy to elect a new leader for the
Chaldean Diocese.
The first meeting took place in Iraq, but resulted in a deadlock.
The Pope asked that the Bishops meet in Rome to choose
the successor to the late Mar Raphael I Bidawid who died on
July 7, 2003.
On December 3, 2003 His Beatitude Mar Emmanuel III
Delley became the new Patriarch of the Chaldean Church.
Mar Delley was born in Telkaif -Nineveh on September
27, 1927. He joined the Simon Al-Safa Seminary in
1940, displaying tremendous faith at an early age. By
January 21, 1952 he was ordained as a Chaldean Priest
in Rome, Italy.
In 1960, Mar Delley received his first doctorate
degree in theology from Urban University
and another one in canon law from Lantern
University in Rome. He excelled throughout
his studies and was always at the top of
his class.
The late Chaldean Patriarch Shikho
ordained as Archbishop on April 19,
1963. Displaying great ability, he was
then elevated to Kuskur Archbishop on
May 7, 1967. Later, he was appointed as
counselor to the Holy See Committee on
dialog of religions and the canon law.
Our new Patriarch has faithfully served his
people and the Chaldean church during the most
trying times. Throughout the War with Iran, the
Persian Gulf War and the most recent war in 2003-he
never left Iraq.
He has a strong connection with our community here in
Detroit. Along with Bishop Ibrahim Ibrahim and a
Michigan active fundraising committee, he founded a
Chaldean Seminary Endowment Fund to ensure the preser-
18 CHALDEAN NEWS FEBRUARY 2004