Syriac Catholic Church

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BenjaminD

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I have a couple questions about the Syriac Catholic Church.

Are they accepting to those who want to change Churches (From Western to Eastern)?

How big is the Church universally?

Are they close/the same to the Chaldean Catholic Church?

and Are they the main Catholic population of Iraq?

Thank you 😃
 
There are two Syriac Rites in the Church and the Syriac Church is on one Rite, and the Chaldeans are on another. Not sure really what is the difference, I have only been to a Chaldean Liturgy. I know there are a number of Chaldeans in Iraq, the Syriacs are spread across the Middle East as well.

Generally Eastern Churches are open to those who wish to switch, but you have to prove yourself first by attending their parish regularly for 1-2 years. Then write the Bishop to petition a change and he’ll discuss it with your RC bishop.
 
Thank you!

I honestly believe that I have heard all this before, I don’t know why I forgot haha.
 
BenjaminD said:
I have a couple questions about the Syriac Catholic Church.

Are they accepting to those who want to change Churches (From Western to Eastern)?
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If one is totally unfamiliar with the theology and praxis of a Church, it would seem to be a little early to discuss transfer.
BenjaminD said:
How big is the Church universally?
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The Syriac CC is actually quite small. I don’t have the actual figures handy, (Vico probably does, though), but it probably counts under 100,000 worldwide.
BenjaminD said:
Are they close/the same to the Chaldean Catholic Church?
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No, they are two separate Churches having separate traditions. The Syriac CC is part of the West Syriac (aka Antiochene) Tradition, whereas the Chaldean Church is part of the East Syriac (aka Edessene) Tradition.
BenjaminD said:
and Are they the main Catholic population of Iraq?
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No, although there are Syriacs in Iraq. (The cathedral that was attacked this past October was the Syriac CC Cathedral of Baghdad.) The distinction of being the largest of the Churches in Iraq goes to the Chaldean Church.
 
Based on the* 2010 Annuario Pontificio*, the Syrian Catholic Church has 158,898 members, while the Chaldean Catholic Church counts 490,371 adherents, mostly in Iraq.

In comparison, the Maronite Catholic Church has 3,290,539 members, which makes it the 3rd largest of the Eastern Catholic Churches. (The Ukrainians and the Syro-Malabars are 1st and 2nd.)
 
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