Pope Benedict XVI and the bishops of both the Middle East and United States are most concerned about the violence directed toward Christians in the Middle East. Just in the last few weeks the world has witnessed an escalation of violence against Christians in both Syria and Egypt. At the end of his weekly general audience on Oct. 12, Pope Benedict shared his dismay over the Oct. 9 attack on Coptic Christians in Egypt that left 26 dead and scores injured. The Christians were involved in a peaceful protest seeking equal rights and a voice in the new nation that is arising. They were met with attacks from angry mobs and a speeding military vehicle that plowed through the Christian crowd while military officers fired indiscriminately into the crowd.
In his address, Pope Benedict called on the leadership of Egypt to guarantee that all citizens and institutions within Egypt are treated fairly and that their rights and safety are assured in the new democratic structures. He expressed his disappointment that since the fall of Hosni Mubarak the country has been “lacerated by attempts to undermine peaceful coexistence among its communities.” In his support for a free democratically established order for Egypt the pope called on all Catholics to pray that they “enjoy true peace based on justice and respect for the freedom and dignity of every citizen.”
Bishop Camillo Balin, apostolic vicar of Northern Arabia and outgoing general secretary of the conference of Latin-rite bishops in Arab countries, has stated that he is concerned about the fate of Christians in what is being dubbed as the “Arab Spring.”
“Christians are afraid. In Egypt, like in other countries such as Iraq, Syria and Yemen, people live under an atmosphere of continuous tension. Our people are exposed to violence and see a lack of protection” said Bishop Balin.
Father Rafic Greiche, spokesman for the Catholic Church in Egypt, blames the recent unrest in Egypt on the government’s slow process of reformation. There is a need to hold elections and end the military rule. In Syria, Patriarch Ignatius Joseph III, worries that the pressure being exerted upon the government to overthrow the corrupt regime could have bad consequences for Christians in the country. He thinks that these attempts to collapse the government “will very probably lead to chaos.”
“This chaos, surely with no means to implement security, will lead to civil war.” And this civil war in his estimation will not be just among the political forces; “it will also be confessional (religious) and war in the name of God is far worse than a political struggle. And this is what we fear.”
Christians in Syria make up about 10 percent of the nation’s population.
Maronite Catholic leaders are also calling for a peaceful solution to the upheaval in Syria. Archbishop Paul Sayah, vicar general of the Maronite Patriarchate in Beirut and former archbishop of Haifa, explained that Syria’s small, minority represented government, the Alawites, who have been running the country for 40 years, are not going to let go easily to the reins of government because they know if the Sunnis Muslims take over, “its going to be very dangerous for them, to put it mildly.”
The bishop pointed out that the saying goes in Syria, “Christians to Beirut; Alawites to the coffin.” He says they might only be slogans but he warned “they are significant.”
Bishop Gerald Kicanas of Tucson, Ariz., and Bishop George Murry of Youngstown, Ohio (originally from the Diocese of Camden) were on a recent pastoral visit to Iraq. Both American bishops hold positions in the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), Bishop Kicanas is chairman of the board of Catholic Relief Services and Bishop Murry is secretary of the USCCB. “The Christians in Baghdad have suffered greatly; their faith has been tested,” said Bishop Kicanas.
“Because of religious tensions, Christians in Iraq do not feel safe in their churches or their homes,” said Bishop Murry, “many have emigrated to the north of the country or have left Iraq entirely, which greatly concerns the bishops there. One Chaldean priest told us the chilling story of his kidnapping and being held for ransom by two different groups. Many people had similar stories to tell.”
Let us pray for our fellow Christians in the Middle East who daily experience instability and fear of violence. May peace prevail and new forms of government that will guarantee the equal rights of all citizens.
Father Joseph D. Wallace is coordinator, Ecumenical and Inter-religious Affairs, Diocese of Camden.
at the bottom and then tap “Add to Home Screen”