IRAQI CHALDEANS
Grief and Religion
By: Bernadette Talia, MSW,R
Personal Introduction
 Educational Background
 Work History
 Speaking engagement
 Training
Historical Background of Iraqi
Chaldeans
 Iraq used to be called Mesopotamia. The land
between two rivers.
 The tower of Babylon was constructed in Iraq.
 Abraham from old testament originated from Ur of
Chaldies.
 Chaldean Nebuchadnezzar built the famous
hanging gardens of Babylon. One of the seven
wonders of the world.
 Hamourabi developed the first codes of laws.
 Majority of Chaldeans trace their roots back to a
town called Telkeppe.
Language
 Chaldeans of today speak Aramaic
language. The language of ancient
Babylon. The language of Jesus Christ.
 Chaldeans educated in Iraq speak Arabic
and Aramaic.
 Many Chaldeans are Tri-lingual
understanding Aramaic, Arabic and English.
Religion
 Chaldeans belong to the Eastern rite of the
Roman Catholic Church.
 In the U.S. there are currently 12 Chaldean
parishes, five in the Detroit area, four
parishes in California, two in Chicago and
one church in Arizona.
 Church is one of the most important
institutions, second is family, and third is
grocery stores.
Religious Traditions
of The Chaldeans
 The Chaldean community is centered
around the religious traditions brought from
Iraq.
 Chaldeans take Roman View.
 Many Chaldeans who are not even religious
Find themselves drawn to the church fairly
often for weddings, funerals, meetings and
various social gatherings.
Religious Traditions of The
Chaldeans (Continued)
 Religion was a traditional center of Telkeffee
village life and it remained so for Telkeffees
throughout United States.
 Catholic Chaldeans are urged to attend their
own rite regularly, but church regulations
require only that a catholic attend the rite to
which he or she belongs on three occasions:
for baptism, for marriage, and for burial.
Church functions
 The Chaldean church serves as a central focus
with which nearly all Chaldeans can identify.
 The Chaldean identity is essentially a religious
one, centered upon alliance with a unique group.
 Church is the center of their belief and feelings. It
is nucleus of their social life, the central meeting
place, a place where their children could meet
their prospective spouses.
 Chaldeans are family oriented. Members are
drawn to the church for first communion of
children, their own as well as their relatives.
Memorial Mass
 Memorial mass for deceased Chaldeans attract
their relatives to the church, especially during the
first few months. After bereavement and on the
first anniversary of death.
 If the mass has been offered for the intentions of a
particular family, such as an anniversary mass of a
deceased member, members of that family
become the center of social activity of the day.
Grief and family support
 When a loved one dies the whole family,
friends and relatives gather around to
support financially, emotionally and
physically.
 During the first few months the relatives of
the deceased and friends provide time, food
emotional, and financial support.
Funeral Traditions
 After special prayers for the deceased in the hall, the whole
community gathers men on one side and women on the
other side.
 A pot luck will be provided by the relatives and friends of
the deceased for all who attended the funeral.
 Special ceremonies are held on two occasions the seventh
and fortieth day of the deceased loved one.
 The first seven days are very intense, the whole
community offer their condolences to the relatives of the
deceased. The family and relatives of the deceased
prepare food for all visitors. Closest relatives and friends
visit often until forty days and even longer.
The Role of the Chaldean Priest
 As the church is the central institution for
Chaldeans, the priest is the person to whom
Chaldeans have traditionally turned to in times of
happiness or troubles.
 The catholic priest is expected to handle many
difficulties, especially by immigrant Chaldeans
who knew no one else to consult.
 The priest helps with family problems and financial
issues.
The Role of Chaldean Priest
Continues
 Chaldeans feel much more comfortable
going to a priest for marital and other family
problems than a mental health professional.
 During times of grief many of our Chaldeans
find it very beneficial to invite a priest to their
home to pray with a relative who is dying
and to provide comfort to other members in
the family.
General Intervention Techniques
used for treatment
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Individual and family therapy as needed.
Group therapy for Chaldeans.
Psychiatric evaluation and meds management.
Incorporate in therapy education on bereavement,
addiction, domestic violence, parenting and mental
health problems as needed.
 Praise Chaldeans for taking the first step for
treatment and commending them on their courage.
 Blend of traditional and western approaches.
 Encourage the values of faith, community and
family involvement.
Future Needs
 Chaldean and Middle Eastern Social Services
(CMSS) was opened in January of 2008.
 At CMSS there are Arabic and Aramaic speaking
therapist for individual and family therapy.
Psychotropic medication is also provided. More
Arabic speaking therapist are needed.
 Case management services for immigration needs
and all other social services. The center is in
need of more case managers but no funds to hire
staff to deal with immigration issues.
 Chaldean. org is a website for further information.
 www.c-mss.org is a web site for CMSS
organizationCommunity based services provided
in their language.