Archbishop Bashar Warda

The Latest

Archbishop Bashar Warda of Erbil in Iraq.

Iraqi archbishop fears war in Holy Land could spread to entire region

Nov 9, 2023

By Andrés Henríquez

Chaldean Catholic Archbishop Bashar Warda fears a possible escalation in the conflict will end up unleashing a wave of migration... Read more

A mourner holds up an image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus at the funeral on Sept. 27, 2023, of victims who were killed when a fire ripped through a crowded wedding hall in the mainly Christian northern city of Qaraqosh, Iraq, also known as Hamdaniyah. At least 100 people were killed, officials said, pointing to indoor fireworks as the likely cause for the blaze that sparked a panicked stampede for the exits.

Iraq archbishop calls for prayers after tragic wedding fire

Sep 27, 2023

By Jonah McKeown

More than 100 died after a fire at a Syriac Catholic wedding celebration is the Nineveh Plains of Iraq. Read more

Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Diocese of Sokoto, Nigeria

Nigerian bishop addresses the evils of Islamist extremism at interfaith summit

Nov 3, 2022

By Zelda Caldwell

Addressing the G20 Religion Forum in Bali, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah testified to the violence committed against both Christians and... Read more

Archbishop Bashar Warda speaking at the R20 Summit in Indonesia, Nov. 2, 2022

Iraqi archbishop calls for courageous dialogue among religions, end to violent persecution

Nov 3, 2022

By AC Wimmer

Addressing the Group of Twenty’s first-ever forum on religion on Nov. 2, Archbishop Bashar Warda drove home the need for... Read more

Father Ragheed Ganni

A Priest and Martyr for the Faith: The cause for the beatification of Father Ragheed Ganni

Aug 19, 2022

By Rody Sher

It has been fifteen years since the martyrdom of Father Ragheed Ganni, the Chaldean priest of the Holy Spirit parish... Read more

Chaldean Catholic Archbishop Bashar Warda (center), joined Alejandro Bermudez (far right), executive editor of the ACI Group and Catholic News Agency, and other dignitaries and staff members at a ceremony marking the launch of the Arabic-language news agency in Erbil, Iraq, on March 25, 2022.

'It's the time for the world to hear our voice': Catholic news agency in Iraq to serve persecuted Christians

Mar 25, 2022

By Kelsey Wicks

Chaldean Catholic Archbishop Bashar Warda of Erbil, Iraq, was among the dignitaries at a ceremony marking the inauguration of ACI... Read more

The logo of ACI MENA, EWTN's new Arabic-language news agency, based in Erbil, Iraq.

EWTN launches Arabic-language news agency based in Iraq

Mar 25, 2022

By CNA Staff

EWTN Global Catholic Network has launched an Arabic-language news service headquartered in Erbil, Iraq. Read more

Archbishop Bashar Warda of Erbil, Iraq speaks at Georgetown University on Feb. 15, 2018.

Iraqi archbishop: We must ensure ISIS genocide is not repeated

Jul 16, 2021

By Matt Hadro

Grateful for aid to Iraqi Christian genocide victims, the Chaldean Catholic archbishop of Erbil says more must be done to... Read more

The Catholic University of Erbil in Ankawa, in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Credit: Aid to the Church in Need.

Catholic charity gives boost to Iraqi Christian students on eve of papal visit

Mar 3, 2021

A Catholic charity launched a $1.8 million project helping Christian students on the eve of the historic papal visit to... Read more

Archbishop Bashar Warda, the Chaldean Archbishop of Erbil at the Chaldean cathedral in Erbil, Iraq, April 12, 2015. Credit: Mazur/catholicnews.org.uk.

Archbishop Warda: With papal visit, world will see ‘joyful people’ of Iraq

Mar 2, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

The Chaldean Catholic archbishop of Erbil said he hopes with Pope Francis’ visit to Iraq, the world will see a... Read more

Chaldean Catholic Cathedral of St. Joseph in Ankawa, Iraq.

Iraqi prime minister tells Christians to come home, but is it safe?

Aug 21, 2020

By Matt Hadro

The Iraqi prime minister has encouraged Christians to come home—but  Catholic leaders and aid agencies say without stability and economic... Read more

Archbishop Bashar Warda of Erbil.

Amid protests, Iraqi archbishop calls for 'equal rights and dignity' for Christians

Jan 30, 2020

By Matt Hadro

Iraqi Christians must take an active role in the country’s future if they want a unified, multi-religious Iraq, the Archbishop... Read more

Pope Francis meets Iraqi President Barham Salih Jan. 25, 2020.

Pope Francis and Iraqi president discuss securing a future for Christians

Jan 25, 2020

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis met Saturday with Iraqi President Barham Salih, and discussed the need to secure the future of Iraq’s deep-rooted... Read more

A picture taken Jan. 8, 2020 in Bardarash in the Dohuk governorate shows shrapnel from a reportedly Iranian missile initially fired at Iraqi bases housing US troops.

Archbishop Warda: US-Iran tensions threaten Iraq's Christian communities

Jan 8, 2020

By Courtney Mares

After Iran attacked an air base in Erbil early Wednesday, the Chaldean Archbishop of Erbil said the current tensions between... Read more

Father Dave Pivonka and Archbishop Bashar Warda pray together at Franciscan University, Dec. 6, 2019.

Franciscan University forms partnership with Iraqi Catholic university

Dec 10, 2019

By Perry West

A Catholic university in the U.S. has partnered with an Iraqi Catholic college to promote opportunities for scholarship, collaboration, and... Read more

Iraqi demonstrators gather on Tahrir square in Baghdad, amid ongoing anti-government protests, Dec. 4, 2019.

Chaldean archbishop: Iraq unrest signals rejection of post-2003 settlement

Dec 4, 2019

The largest protests in Iraq since the overthrow of Saddam Hussein signal the rejection by most Iraqis of the country's... Read more

An Iraqi anti-government protester waves a national flag in Baghdad on Nov. 29, 2019.

Pope Francis prays for Iraqi people after 45 killed in protests

Dec 1, 2019

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis said Sunday that he was grieved to hear of the deadly violence against protesters in Iraq and expressed... Read more

Chaldean Archbishop Bashar Warda of Erbil, March 28, 2015.

Iraqi archbishop reflects on Christian community five years after ISIS takeover

Aug 6, 2019

Five years on from the conquering of Christian communities in Iraq by the so-called Islamic State, Christians in the country... Read more

Archbishop Bashar Warda of Erbil speaks at Georgetown University on Feb. 15.

Archbishop of Erbil: Is the US abandoning Christians at risk in Iraq?

May 17, 2019

Archbishop Bashar Warda, one of the leading voices on behalf of persecuted and displaced Christians in Iraq, released today an... Read more

US Vice President Mike Pence.

Pence meets with Iraqi archbishop ahead of Middle East trip

Dec 4, 2017

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence met with Chaldean Archbishop Bashar Matti Warda of Erbil on Monday for a “substantial discussion”... Read more