Appointed SE Archbishop Hanna Zora as first Bishop of the new Eparchy

June 10, 2011

Vatican Radio

Pope Benedict XVI has erected the Chaldean Eparchy of Canada under the title of Mar Addai of the Chaldeans of Toronto and appointed SE Archbishop Hanna Zora first Bishop of the new Eparchy, transferring him from the See of Ahwaz and retaining the title of Archbishop ad personam.

Archbishop Hanna Zora was born in Batnaya ( Iraq) 13 March 1937. Ordained a priest June 10, 1962, he was elected Archbishop of Ahwaz of the Chaldeans (Iran) on 1 May 1974, remaining an Iraqi citizen. In February 1987 he left Iran, remaining in Rome until 1993, when he was made responsible for the pastoral care of the Chaldean community in Canada.

The total number of Chaldean Christians in Canada is around 38,000. Pastoral care is offered by the Archbishop Hanna Zora as a community leader in Toronto, under the jurisdiction of the Latin Archbishop of Toronto, and four priests. Most of the Chaldean Christians are concentrated in certain areas of the country: Toronto, Montreal, London - Windsor, Hamilton and London – Ontario, Oakville, Saskatoon, Vancouver and Ottawa.

The Church of Mar Addai in Toronto, recently consecrated by the Chaldean Patriarch, Cardinal Emmanuel III Delly, has been elevated to a eparchial Cathedral.