Dai Le (Fowler, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I want to warmly congratulate Archbishop Amel Nona on his election as patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church, now known as His Beatitude Mar Paul III, elected by the Synod of Bishops in Rome on 12 April. This is a deeply significant moment for Chaldean Catholics around the world, and especially for the many Chaldean Australian families who call Fairfield, Liverpool in south-west Sydney their home. Over the years, I've had the honour of engaging with His Beatitude at many community events. Every time I've been struck by his warmth, his humility and his genuine welcome.

Born in Alqosh in northern Iraq and ordained a priest in 1991, he served his people through some of the darkest years for Christians in Iraq. In 2015, he came to Australia to lead the Chaldean Diocese of St Thomas the Apostle for a decade of quiet and faithful service—from Mosul to Sydney, from Sydney to leading one of the oldest Christian churches on Earth. To His Beatitude Mar Paul III, congratulations. And to every Chaldean Australian, especially in Fowler, this moment belongs to you.

I also want to thank Laith Alchino, Samir Yousif, Marlin Toma and all the religious leaders of the Chaldean Catholic Church in my electorate, as well as the volunteers from the Chaldean League of NSW and Australia for their ongoing engagement and for including me in all of their significant celebrations and milestones that we celebrate in Fowler regularly. It was an honour to be invited and a privilege to witness your community come together with such pride and love.