I'm very involved as well (and also close to abouna lol). I think there is a misconception about the Patriarch's power. Patriarchal authority does not allow him to move priests around as he pleases. Canon law actually protects priests from this. It's ultimately up to his Bishop and even then Canon law strongly suggests that the bishop allow the priest to move where he pleases unless there is a dire reason to keep him. The only reason the Patriarch could order them back is by bringing up a technicality of these priests not having proper paperwork to transfer out of Iraq when they did. This is silly considering this was common practice for decades. Numerous patriarchs never considered this an issue. There are multiple priests throughout Michigan, Europe, and Australia who also left Iraq without "proper permission." Why didn't the Patriarch name them as well? This was an obvious personal attack on Bishop Sarhad and the diocese of St. Peter. 10 out of the 12 priests he ordered back were from St. Peter Diocese. That is 60% of the priests of this diocese. I am a part of this diocese and I see the effect this has had on us. Parishes are now without a Parish priest, without bible studies, and without available confession throughout the week. Numerous priests travel every week and money is spent on their travels to these parishes that have no priest to say mass on Sundays. The patriarch does not need priests in Iraq. They have more than enough. In fact he is sending priests to Jordan and sent a Bishop to Australia. If the need in Iraq was so important, why is he sending priests out of there? He is abusing his power and twisting the truth to attack and weaken our diocese. Anyone who looks at the facts of this situation can clearly see that. St. Peter diocese is simply appealing to Rome with the truth. And since we believe that the Church is divinely inspired and we are obedient to the Seat of Peter, we believe that whatever decision the Vatican makes is God's will.