Basile Georges Casmoussa

Casmoussa was ordained as a priest in June 1962 and worked for three decades as the editor of Christian Source and was active in the International Union of the Catholic Press.

Although there were fears that this marked a new wave of attacks on Christians in Iraq, it appeared that the motive was principally for ransom, reportedly US$200,000.

On Tuesday, March 1, 2011, Pope Benedict XVI, gave his consent to the canonical election (made by the Synod of Bishops of the Patriarchal Syriac Catholic Church) of Father Yohanna Petros Mouche, until now the Protosyncellus (Vicar General) of the Archeparchy of Mosul, as the new archbishop-elect of the Archeparchy of Mosul, succeeding Casmoussa.

On Monday, January 13, 2014, Pope Francis appointed him Apostolic Visitor of the Syriac Catholics in Western Europe.

[1] On Wednesday, June 21, 2017, Pope Francis accepted his resignation as Apostolic Visitor of the Syriac Catholics in Western Europe and appointed Mgr.