Chaldean Catholic bishops have said that priests and monks who left their dioceses and monasteries in Iraq without formal permission to emigrate are "raising doubts among faithful".
A statement by 20 bishops urged these priests and monks to "leave their current dioceses immediately".
The statement also said the Chaldean Church would proceed with the cause for canonisation of Catholics martyred in Iraq since 2003, including Archbishop Faraj Rahho, Fr Ragheed Kani, four deacons and a nun.
The bishops, meeting for their annual synod, pleaded for peace in the Middle East and for the liberation of areas seized by the Islamic State group so that the displaced could return to their homes.
