View source for Syriac Catholic Patriarchal Exarchate of Basra and the Gulf

{{Short description|Eastern Catholic missionary jurisdiction in Iraq}}
The '''Syriac Catholic Patriarchal Exarchate of Basra, Iraq and the Gulf''' is an [[exarchate]] ([[Eastern Catholic]] pre-diocesan jurisdiction) of the [[Syriac Catholic Church]] ''sui iuris'' ([[Antiochian Rite]] in [[Syriac language]]) for southern [[Iraq]] and the Gulf states, notably [[Kuwait]]. It serves the extremely small Christian minority in Basra however recently the population has slightly increased due to some Christian refugees from the war torn Northern Iraq settling in Basra fleeding conflict with ISIL.
It depends directly on the [[Syriac Catholic Patriarch of Antioch]], without belonging to his or any other [[ecclesiastical province]].
== History ==
It was established in 1991 on territory previously without proper Ordinary of the [[particular church]] ''sui iuris''.
==Exarchs of Basra and the Gulf==
* Athanase Matti Shaba Matoka (1997 – 2001), while Archeparch (Archbishop) of [[Baghdad of the Syriacs]] (Iraq) (1983.07.15 – retired 2011.03.01); previously [[Titular Bishop]] of [[Dara Syrorum of the Syriacs]] (1979.08.25 – 1983.07.15) & [[Auxiliary Eparch]] of Baghdad of the Syriacs (Iraq) (1979.08.25 – 1983.07.15)
* Father Charbel Issou (2001 – 2003)
* Father Eshak Marzena (2003 – 2014)
* Monsignor Emad Ekleemes (2014 – 2020)
* Firas Dardar (2020.09.10 – ...), while [[Titular Bishop]] of Tagritum of the Syriacs (2020.09.10 –  ...)
== Source and External links ==
* [http://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/diocese/bass2.htm GCatholic, with incumbent bio links]
* [https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bmundher.html Catholic Hierarchy]
{{Syriac Catholic Church}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Basra and the Gulf, Syriac Catholic Patriarchal Exarchate}}
[[Category:Eastern Catholic exarchates|Basra]]
[[Category:Syriac Catholic dioceses|Basra]]
[[Category:Eastern Catholicism in Iraq]]
[[Category:Catholic Church in Kuwait]]