Archbishop Louis Raphaël I Sako, 69, the head of the Iraq-based Chaldean Church, has been nominated for the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize. The French politician, Bernard Cazeau, said that Sako 'embodies' the dialogue between faiths and is 'respected' by people of all faiths and no faith for his 'honesty, sincerity, simplicity and generosity'.
Archbishop Louis Raphaël I Sako, 69, the head of the Iraq-based Chaldean Church, has been nominated for the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize.
He was nominated by the Catholic association L'Œuvre d'Orient in late January, and his nomination is backed by a number of people in Iraq and around the world. The archbishop has developed particularly strong ties of friendship and collaboration in France with Catholic and non-Catholic prelates and NGOs. His work in favour of peace and coexistence has been especially praised by both Christians and Muslims.
The French politician, Bernard Cazeau, said that Sako 'embodies' the dialogue between faiths and is 'respected' by people of all faiths and no faith for his 'honesty, sincerity, simplicity and generosity'.
Archbishop Sako was born in Zakho (northern Iraq) and was ordained priest in 1974. He became Chaldean patirarch in January 2013. The Chaldean Church is one of the oldest Christian communities. Following his nomination, Sako said that receiving the prize 'would be an important and significant gesture, because it would highlight the sacrifices of an ancient community that chose to remain in its own land despite persecution, the latest being that of Daesh (the Arabic acronym for IS) which forced hundreds of thousands of families to flee, convert or be killed.'
The Norwegian Nobel Committee shortlists candidates in March and announces the Peace Prize winners in October.
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