About Us

The Holy Bible constitutes the heart of Christian and ecclesial life. It is the inspired Word of God, entrusted to the Church to proclaim, interpret, and live. Since the Second Vatican Council, and especially in the Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation (Dei Verbum), the Catholic Church affirms that “Sacred Scripture is the Word of God written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and it teaches faithfully and without error the truths which God wished to be recorded for the sake of our salvation” (Dei Verbum, 11).

 

From this arises an urgent need to study Sacred Scripture, not merely as a religious book, but as a source of spiritual, theological, and pastoral life. This need is especially evident for the following reasons:

• 1.      Confronting incorrect interpretations: Pope Benedict XVI emphasized in Verbum Domini (2010) the necessity of distinguishing authentic ecclesial interpretation from ideological or literalist readings that can mislead the faithful.
• 2.      Renewal of pastoral life: The Second Vatican Council called for Sacred Scripture to be the foundation of the formation of priests, catechists, and ministers.
• 3.      Rooting Christian identity in a secular world: In the face of secularization, Sacred Scripture provides firmness in faith and offers believers a vision for living the Gospel in the world.
• 4.      Contributing to a culture of peace and justice: The Word of God guides believers toward commitment to social justice, the defense of human dignity, and service to the poor.

 

St. George Parish was among the pioneers in developing a systematic and academic plan for the study of Sacred Scripture. This plan bore fruit in the establishment of Fr. Koop the Forum for Bible Study in 2021, founded by Fr. Hani Ablahad with the accompaniment of Sub-Deacon Wael Sito. The forum was named in honor and gratitude to the late Fr. Lucian Kooob, who served the Church in Iraq for over fifty years as a professor of Sacred Scripture.

 

Bible Study Courses Offered by the Forum:

• Year One – 2021: Introduction to Sacred Scripture (Old and New Testaments)
• Year Two – 2022: The Five Books of the Torah (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy)
• Year Three – 2023: The Books of Joshua, Judges, 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings
• Year Four – 2024: The Books of 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Tobit, Judith, Esther

 

Meetings of the forum are held every Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. in the hall of St. George Church.

The forum is currently under the direct supervision of Fr. Paul Mangana, the parish priest.

 

Lectures are delivered by qualified speakers, including:

• Fr. Paul Mangana
• Sub-Deacon Wael Sito
• George Khoshaba
• Sub-Deacon Bashar Matloub
• Mukhlis Khamo

 

About Fr. Lucian Koob after whom the forum is named:

Born on 22 September 1929 in Beveren, Belgium. Joined the Redemptorist Congregation (Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer) and professed his religious vows in 1951; ordained a priest in 1956. He arrived in Baghdad in 1960 to serve in the field of education. Spent nearly fifty years of his life in Iraq, serving the Word of God and immersing himself in Iraqi cultural and religious life. Learned Chaldean (Syriac) and Arabic fluently. Taught Sacred Scripture for many years at the Seminary and at the College of Babylon for Philosophy and Theology in Baghdad. Focused his teaching on Sacred Scripture—its interpretation and reading—combining spiritual depth with academic rigor. He taught his students not only to interpret the texts but to “taste” them and live them.

He was known for his humility, avoidance of publicity, and deep love for teaching. Many consider him a “school” in himself, as bishops, priests, religious men and women, and lay faithful were formed under his guidance. He was also devoted himself to spiritual direction and served for many years as a spiritual guide to the daughters of Mary Chaldean Sisters.

Due to declining health, he left Iraq at the end of 2012. Passed away in Belgium on the morning of 28 December 2018.

 

Sacred Scripture reveals the God who communicates with humanity throughout history in order to lead it to salvation. Through its texts, we contemplate the mystery of Christ, who is “the Word made flesh” (John 1:14).

 The Bible is central to the readings, prayers, and liturgical hymns of the Church; there is no liturgy without the Word of God. It forms the foundation of proclamation and evangelization, for all Christian teaching must be rooted in Sacred Scripture.

 Sacred Scripture also forms believers in Christian values—justice, forgiveness, love, and hope—and helps shape moral conscience in the face of the challenges of the contemporary world.

 

An Invitation

 All the faithful are invited to care for the Word of God and to study it deeply and correctly in accordance with the teaching of the Catholic Church. You are welcome to respond to this invitation by attending the forum every Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. in the hall of St. George Church.