Syria: Patriarch Laham growls at accusations of Christian collusion with Assad regime
Gregory III Laham, the spiritual leader of the Melkite Church has rejected accusations of scheming with the Assads, stressing bishops’ responsibility for the Christian communities in a country ravaged by civil war
Gianni Valente
Rome
7/19/2012
vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/homepage/world-news/detail/articolo/siria-syria-16903/
As ministers are being killed in Damascus and the Syrian regime totters after the blows it has been dealt by the armed opposition, Church leaders are faced with the opening up of a dangerous home front. This is the perception given by the 24 point document published yesterday by the Melkite Patriarch Gregory III Laham, leader of the largest Catholic community in Syria. This is the first time, leaders of Christian Churches have dedicated a large chunk of the text to defending themselves against accusations of scheming with the Assad regime.
From his home in the heart of the old city of Damascus, the impetuous Greek-Catholic Patriarch is denouncing the campaign against high level leaders of the Syrian Churches who have been accused of collusion, subjection and indolence which is allegedly proven by the hesitant attitude or veiled hostility shown towards the revolution since the beginning of the crisis. “The State and its leaders,” Gregory assured, “have never suggested or invited pastors to make a declaration or adopt a certain position. The freedom of pastors has been guaranteed everywhere to date, both in behavioural terms and in terms of public and private declarations. I personally did a tour of European capitals last March and did not ask for anyone’s permission or advice; nor did anyone ask me to adopt any particular position.”
The Patriarch reminded bishops of their role as official representatives of the Christian communities and the importance of protecting their interests in this war-torn Syria. “We will not allow anyone to speak on our behalf or on behalf of the Christians in Syria, to manipulate our statements in order to make accusations of any type against us.” Laham believes that doubting the objectivity of bishops, the reliability of their sources of information or the news communicated by them is “subversive” seeing as though their appeals for national reconciliation (including their appeals in support of the interfaith Mussalaha movement, seen by rebels as a façade which has lately been useful to the regime) are inspired by the” permanent contact with their priests, clerics and nuns, as well as with faithful and all citizens of all confessions and prominent figures of the Nation.”
Laham denies that the civil war of becoming explicitly anti-Christian but stresses that as the weak link in the Arab world, Christians are the first to pay the price in situations of war and anarchy. He also sees the positions “of some figures, institutions and press bodies” whose “untimely interest in Christians can increase the radicalism of certain armed factions against them, as we saw happening in Homs, Qusayr, Yabrud and Dmeineh Sharquieh.”
Behind the Pope’s words one intuits a potential crisis in the authority of Christian leaders who have managed the modus vivendi of the Assad regime over the decades. “Unfortunately, at the beginning, the Churches did not believe in the revolution,” George Sabra, Christian spokesman for the Syrian National Council, the Syrian opposition coalition, reiterated again yesterday to Fides news agency. Deeper rooted is the uncertainty regarding the future of a national framework whose anomalous “secularism” and the oppressive omnipresence of security forces which had guaranteed protection to Christian minorities also in order for them to be able to present themselves to the outside world as guarantors of interreligious co-existence; a rare thing in the tinderbox which is the Middle East. According to Laham, this status is the fruit of a historical stratification that began with Ottoman legislation, continued during the French protectorate and will need protection in the future as well. Meanwhile, “the affirmation that the Christian statute exists because of their support for the regime and that it will be eliminated along with the regime,” is completely false. Nevertheless, the future of Christians appears uncertain in Syria too. This is the scenario Benedict XVI will fatally have to face on his forthcoming trip to Lebanon.
Syria: “War is a dead end” European bishops say
Cardinals Erdo, Michalik and Bagnasco have signed an appeal stating: “it is never too late to understand each other, to negotiate and build together a common future”
vatican insider staff
rome
7/19/2012
vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/homepage/world-news/detail/articolo/siria-syria-16913/
European bishops have responded to the extremely delicate situation in Syria with a joint statement signed by the President of the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences (CEEE) and Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest Péter Card. Erdő and the two Vice Presidents Angelo Bagnasco and Józef Michalik.
“For some months – the statement reads – the Church and the whole international community have been following with great anxiety and profound sadness the escalation of violence in Syria, where weapons seem to have replaced dialogue.”
“We hope – the text continues – that the country’s authorities, the people and all believers, of whatever religion, may look towards God and find the path which will bring an end to all hostilities, lay down arms and embark on the path of dialogue, reconciliation and peace. This conflict can only bring inevitable grief, destruction and serious consequences for the noble Syrian people. War is a dead end. Happiness can only be achieved together, never through the misuse of power by one group against another.”
Then comes their exhortation: “The next few days can be decisive for the outcome of this crisis. Therefore we exhort all Europe’s Christians to increase their commitment in prayer for peace in that region. Our faith leads us to hope that a solution to the crisis is possible, a solution which is fair and constructive, respectful of everyone’s interests. It is necessary to find once again the room for a dialogue of peace; it is never too late to understand each other, to negotiate and build together a common future.”
The statement concludes by saying: “We are sure that, with God’s help, good sense may prevail and produce a peaceful living in harmony in truth, justice, love, freedom and respect for all minorities, especially the nation’s Christians.”