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Chaldean Caucus of Michigan to Host Presidential Debate Gathering and Discussion

Surrogates from both the McCain and Obama camp have approached Chaldean community leaders hoping to gain their support.  In Michigan, issue advocates like CatholicVote.com have reached out to Chaldeans with a special issue announcement.   

The Chaldean Caucus of Michigan will be hosting the first presidential debate viewing at Mother of God Church Hall in Southfield, Michigan this Friday, September 26th beginning at 7:30 p.m.  Supporters of both candidates are invited to attend.  Refreshments will be served and lively discussion will follow immediately after the debate, moderated by Chaldean Caucus regional leaders. 

Michigan is a battleground state for the presidential contenders.  Both have opened offices in the heart of Chaldean strongholds.  The McCain camp has headquartered in Farmington, while the Obama camp is in Southfield.

Chaldeans are concerned over a host of issues.  However, a few stand as paramount concerns for the community.  “On one hand we are unhappy with how persecuted Iraqi Christians are being treated and on the other hand, the community is deeply offended by our country’s current policy on abortion and anti-family issues,” says Kamal Zoree. “The thing is many Chaldeans are still trying to figure out which candidate is best for America, best for the future of America, and best for Chaldeans.”

The Chaldean Caucus reminds readers that unregistered Chaldean voters have until October 1st to register.  Chaldeans unfamiliar with where to vote can contact their local church for assistance.  

Chaldean supporters of either presidential, state, and / or local candidates, should  e-mail info@chaldean.org their supporting comments or literature to further advocate for their  candidate.   The e-mails received by www.CHALDEAN.org may be used in future articles. 

The Chaldean Caucus and www.CHALDEAN.org will be collaborating on upcoming articles to provide clarity as to where each candidate stands on the issues.


Filed in Career & Education, Government & Society, Chaldean Caucus :: By Neda Ayar on Monday, September 22, 2008 :: 1711 Views
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Mar Addai Church, MI USA

Mar Addai Chaldean Catholic Church
24010 Coolidge Hwy.
Oak Park, MI 48237
Tel: (248) 547-4648
Fax: (248) 399-9089

Congregation Organizer:
Rev. Michael J. Bazzi

Church Founding Pastor:
Rev. Stephen Kallabat

Current Pastor:
Rev. Stephan Kallabat

Parochial Vicar:
Rev. Fadi Habib Khalaf

Parochial Vicar:
Rev. Sulemina Denha
 


 

Rev. Stephen Kallabat


Fr. Stephan Kallabat was born in Telkaif, Iraq.  After completing seven years of scholarly work for the priesthood in Mosul, Iraq Fr. Kallabat was accepted at the prestigious university in Rome.  There he spent six additional years of scholarly work in the areas of philosophy and theology and an additional four years in scriptural studies. 

Ordained a priest in 1966 by Pope Paul VI he returned to Iraq to serve the Holy Family parish until his departure to Michigan, U.S. in 1979 to serve the growing population of Chaldeans.  Fr. Kallabat was appointed assistant pastor, then pastor of Mar Addai Parish in Oak Park, Michigan. 

Hitting the ground running, Fr. Kallabat is credited with raising the necessary funds to provide Chaldeans in the local area a church and community center of their own.  Fr. Kallabat continues to serve the parish and Chaldean community as their pastor.   

Rev. Fadi Habib Khalaf

Fr. Fadi Habib Khalaf was born in Baghdad May 10, 1974.  Fr. Khalaf graduated from Baghdad University in 1997 and soon after joined the Chaldean seminary in Baghdad.  While there Fr. Khalaf earned a scholarship to attend the Urbanian Pontifical University in Rome.  There he earned another bachelor’s degree in theology and was ordained deacon in Rome on May 8, 2004. 

Fr. Khalaf then returned to Baghdad where he was officially ordained as a priest.  Afterward Fr. Khalaf returned to Rome to further his studies.  In 2006 Fr. Khalaf was appointed to serve Chaldeans in the United States.  

In the summer of 2006 he arrived to the Chaldean diocese of St. Thomas the Apostle and was cardinated into the Diocese and elected to serve at Mar Addai parish on March 15, 2007 as the Parochial Vicar.

Rev. Suleiman Denha

Rev. Suleiman Denha was born in Telkaif, Iraq.  He began his priestly studies in 1951 in Mosul, Iraq and was ordained in 1959.  Fr. Denha taught in Telkaif until 1961, when he was appointed pastor in Basra, Iraq in 1966. 

After immigrating to the Unite States in 1979, he was appointed to serve the Chaldean community in Virginia.  A year later, Fr. Denha was recruited to assist the much larger population of Chaldeans in Detroit. 

Upon his arrival Fr. Denha assisted Fr. Yasso at Sacred Heart Church.  In 1982 he was asked to temporally assist St. Joseph Church in Troy, returning a year later Sacred Heart. 

In 1991, he was appointed to Mar Addai Church in Oak Park, Michigan as the Parochial Vicar, where he still serves the community today.  

 


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