New Chaldean patriarch enthroned in Iraq

(6 Mar 2013)
1. Wide exterior of Saint Joseph Chaldean Church in Baghdad's Karrada neighbourhood
2. Close of sign reading: (Arabic) "Saint Joseph Chaldean Church"
3. Top shot of congregation in church
4. Top shot of altar
5. Cutaway of crucifix
6. Various of clergy, including Monsignor Louis Sako, entering church
7. Various of clergy at mass
8. Mid of ceremony of enthronement
9. Cutaway of camera
10. Close of newly enthroned patriarch Sako
11. Various of officials and clergymen congratulating Sako
12. Side shot of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki among other officials
13. Cutaway of statue of Jesus Christ
14. SOUNDBITE (English) Patriarch Louis Sako, newly enthroned patriarch (obscured by microphones):
"Iraqis suffered a lot and they deserve a better future to live in peace, dignity and freedom. I will continue to work with all and to bridge with all, especially with Muslim authorities to promote the culture of dialogue, understanding and improving a harmonious way of living together."
15. Ambassadors and foreign delegates seated
16. Zoom out as mass ends
17. Al-Maliki's convoy leaving
STORYLINE:
Iraq's Chaldean Catholic Church enthroned a new patriarch on Wednesday during a ceremonial mass in Baghdad held amid tight security.
The 64-year-old Monsignor Louis Sako is replacing retired Emmanuel III Delly.
The mass was held on Wednesday morning at St. Joseph's Chaldean church in downtown Baghdad.
Iraqi security forces sealed off all roads leading to the church.
Last month, bishops of the Eastern rite church chose Sako, archbishop of Kirkuk since 2003, as their patriarch and later, Pope Benedict XVI approved the election.
Sako says he will push for dialogue with Muslim clerics, both Sunnis and Shiites, to ensure co-existence and cooperation in Iraq.
"I will continue to work with all and to bridge with all, especially with Muslim authorities to promote the culture of dialogue, understanding and improving a harmonious way of living together," he told those gathered for the ceremony.
Since the 2003 US-led invasion, Iraqi Christians have suffered repeated violence by Islamic militants and hundreds of thousands have fled the country.
The exact number of Christians left in Iraq is unclear.


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