Holy Synod of the Church of the East Issues Statement on Ashur Soro

The Holy Synod of the Assyrian Church of the East has issued a statement confirming its previous decisions concerning the suspension and deposition of Bishop Mar Bawai (Soro) of Modesto. Mar Bawai, now Ashur Soro, was suspended in 2005 for refusing to be removed from diocese because of his activity in advocating union between the new calendar Church of the East and the Chaldean Catholic Church. In 2008 the Holy Synod deposed him from all episcopal and priestly rank and excommunicated him for his continued rebellion against its authority. In the meantime Ashur Soro, formerly Mar Bawai, was received into the Chaldean Catholic Church as a bishop and served for a time in the western USA before being deposed by the Chaldean Catholic Church as well. The Holy Synod of the Church of the East has issued its statement as the Holy Synod of the Chaldean Catholic Church prepares to meet in Rome to further the discuss the matter of Mr. Soro's reception into their church and the future of the ecumenical dialogue between the two churches. The statement from the Church of the East on the matter can be found here.