Bishop Francis Kalabat has announced new clergy appointments for the Chaldean Diocese. Please join us in praying for Rev. Fr. Perrin Atisha, Rev. Fr. Rodney Abasso, and Rev. Fr. John Jaddou as they begin their new ministries in service to the Church.
On Saturday, July 4, 2026, the Chaldean Catholic Diocese of St. Thomas the Apostle U.S.A. joyfully celebrated the priestly ordination of Rev. Fr. Brandon Elias and Rev. Fr. Lucian Gumma.
The ordination was celebrated by His Excellency Mar Francis Y. Kalabat, at Our Lady of Chaldeans Cathedral (Mother of God Chaldean Catholic Church) in Southfield, Michigan. Through the laying on of hands and the invocation of the Holy Spirit, Fr. Brandon Elias and Fr. Lucian Gumma were ordained to the Sacred Priesthood to serve Christ and His Church.
The celebration was attended by clergy, religious, family members, friends, and faithful from across the Diocese, who gathered to pray for the newly ordained priests and to give thanks to God for the gift of their vocations.
The ordination followed an evening Holy Hour which took place the night before, during which the ordinands made their Profession of Faith and took part in the Ramsha prayers in preparation for their ordination.
As priests, Fr. Brandon Elias and Fr. Lucian Gumma now begin their ministry of proclaiming the Gospel, celebrating the Divine Mysteries, administering the sacraments, and shepherding the faithful entrusted to their care.
The Chaldean Catholic Diocese of St. Thomas the Apostle U.S.A. extends its heartfelt congratulations to Fr. Brandon and Fr. Lucian and assures them of our continued prayers as they begin their priestly ministry.
“The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” (Matthew 9:37–38)
Photography: Special thanks to Eileen McHugh (@1901foto) and Shantel Sheeka (@shantel_sheeka_photography).
Celebrate our community as the Detroit Tigers take the field. Featuring a first pitch by Fr. Pierre Konja and the national anthem by St. Thomas Chaldean Church Choir. Purchase tickets through the official link to receive the exclusive Chaldean Heritage jersey.
His Excellency Bishop Francis Kalabat is pleased to announce that His Beatitude Mar Polis III Nona, Patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church, has appointed Fr. Perrin Atisha as First Vice Rector of the Chaldean Patriarchal Seminary in Erbil, Iraq.
The appointment is part of a new Seminary administration that will begin serving with the 2026–2027 academic year.
In a statement released by the Patriarchal Media Office, His Beatitude emphasized the importance of the Chaldean Patriarchal Seminary and the formation of future clergy for the Chaldean Church. Following consultation with the bishops of the Synod, the new Seminary administration has been appointed as follows:
Fr. Qais Mumtaz – Rector
Fr. Perrin Atisha – First Vice Rector
Fr. Antoine Shaker Zaitouna – Second Vice Rector
The Patriarchal Media Office also announced that a spiritual director from the Lebanese Maronite Order will join the Seminary at the beginning of the academic year to assist in the spiritual formation of seminarians.
Bishop Francis Kalabat asks the faithful to keep Fr. Perrin, the Seminary leadership, and all those entrusted with the formation of future priests in their prayers.
Join us for an evening celebrating the history, faith, and legacy of the Chaldean Church through two newly released books.
The Chaldean Catholic Church celebrated a historic day with the installation of His Beatitude Mar Polis III Nona as Patriarch of Babylon of the Chaldeans.
The Chaldean Catholic Diocese of St. Thomas the Apostle joyfully celebrated the Ordination to the Holy Diaconate of Deacon Eddie Dickow and Deacon Matthew Bakkal on May 3, 2026. Surrounded by clergy, family, and faithful from across the community, the sacred liturgy marked the beginning of their ministry of service to the Church. Browse photos from this beautiful and prayerful day.
A Message from Bishop Francis Kalabat on the Election of His Beatitude Mar Polis III Nona
April 12, 2026
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
On this blessed New Sunday of the Easter season, as my brother bishops and I gathered for the recent Chaldean Synod held in Rome, I write to share with you the joyful news of the election of our new Patriarch, Patriarch-elect Mar Polis III Nona. This election follows much prayerful discernment, and we trust that the Holy Spirit has guided us in choosing a worthy shepherd for our Church in these times of growing challenge and adversity.
At the same time, we offer our heartfelt gratitude to His Beatitude, Cardinal Louis Raphaël Sako I, for his years of faithful service to the Chaldean Catholic Church. We thank him for his steadfast leadership, his witness of faith, and his tireless dedication to our people, guiding the Church through times of unprecedented trial. We pray that God may grant him good health, peace, and continued strength in the years to come.
Patriarch-elect Mar Polis III Nona served faithfully as Archbishop of Mosul during a time of great persecution under ISIS, when our faithful endured uncertainty, fear, and suffering. Yet, even in those dark days, he bore witness to the deeper reality of the enduring presence of Christ, meeting that fear and suffering with a faith that overcomes all things.
More recently, he served as the devoted shepherd of the Chaldean Church in Australia and New Zealand, continuing his ministry with the same pastoral zeal and fatherly care entrusted to him.
Reflecting on those difficult years of ministry in Mosul, he once remarked that it was the “best time of my life.” This striking remark does not at all negate or diminish the suffering that was endured; rather, it reveals the depth of his faith: that even in moments of great trial and uncertainty, he experienced the grace of God at work among his flock. It was in those trying times that he reminded the faithful to remain rooted in Christ so as to be sustained in the midst of suffering.
This profound witness of hope, courage, and faith, both in trial and service, has helped to forge within Mar Polis III Nona a pastoral heart that will continue to guide and strengthen us in unity and faithfulness to the Gospel of Christ.
We continue to pray for Mar Polis III Nona as he receives this new ministry of leading the Chaldean Catholic Church through the many challenges of our time. May the Lord grant him wisdom, strength, and perseverance, and sustain all of us as an Easter people, steadfast and ever rooted in the hope of Jesus Christ.
Your Servant in Christ,
+Bishop Francis Y. Kalabat
Bishop of the Chaldean Catholic Diocese of St. Thomas the Apostle, USA
His Excellency Bishop Francis Kalabat announces the following Presbyteral Assignments, effective August 1, 2026.
