Syria’s Christian community, once a thriving and integral part of the country’s cultural fabric, is facing a dire future as warned by a Catholic Archbishop recently recognized by the Vatican for his peace efforts. This alarming situation has arisen despite the new regime’s promises of inclusivity and minority rights.
After the regime change following Bashar al-Assad’s ouster, fears about the survival of Syria’s Christian population have intensified. Although the current government claims to be supportive of diversity, the persistent atmosphere of conflict and unrest poses a severe challenge.
Despite the regime’s assurances, the nation remains embroiled in violence, with various factions continuing to clash. Notably, massacres of Alawites earlier this year and recent skirmishes between the Druze and Bedouins in Suwayda, as well as government confrontations with Kurds in Aleppo, underscore ongoing instability.
The prolonged civil war, beginning in 2011, has drastically reduced Syria’s Christian populace from 2.1 million to approximately 540,000 by 2024, highlighting the exodus driven by insecurity and hardship.
According to Syriac Catholic Archbishop Jacques Mourad of Homs, Hama, and Al-Nabek, “None of the efforts by the universal Church or the local Church managed to stem the tide of the exodus, because the causes are not related to the Church, but rather to the country’s disastrous political and economic situation.”
The Archbishop emphasized the necessity of establishing a robust political framework and security apparatus in Syria to halt migration and alleviate suffering. He remarked, “You can’t stop a wave of migration without first establishing a well-defined political government model in Syria and a solid security system.”
Drawing parallels to Afghanistan, Mourad expressed skepticism about Syria achieving a peaceful and free future. His concerns extend to potential territorial negotiations with Israel, which he warned could lead to the deprivation of vital resources like water for Damascus.
“Who would accept a treaty such as this? Where are the human rights values that should help ensure that decisions are fair for both parties?” Mourad questioned, highlighting the international community’s role in ensuring equitable resolutions.
Having endured five months of captivity by ISIS in 2015, during which he was tortured and faced a mock execution, Mourad has firsthand experience of the region’s volatility. His unwavering faith during these trials has not gone unnoticed.
This month, the Vatican honored Archbishop Mourad with the St John Paul II Award. Cardinal Kurt Koch, chairing the award committee, praised Mourad for his “lifetime of service, his witness of faith, Christian love, interreligious dialogue, and his dedication to peace and reconciliation.”
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
