ASIA/SYRIA-Appeal of the Greek Catholic Patriarch: a month of fasting and abstinence for peace

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The Syrian government has expelled an Italian Jesuit from the strife-torn nation. "The very fact that I am for change, for democracy, for human rights and dignity, this is very …

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Homs (Agenzia Fides) – There is truce between the Syrian army and rebels: after long and difficult negotiations, a cease-fire agreement was reached to allow the release of civilians trapped in Homs. However, say Fides sources in Homs, the evacuation has not started yet because the rebels have not yet given “green light”, while local witnesses refer the use of mortar fire on the city this morning. According to the agreement, the truce should last all day today and in the coming days, for two hours a day, in the morning. In the negotiations between the parties involved there is the International Red Cross, Red Crescent and some Christian priests close to the families of the trapped civilians, members of the interfaith movement for reconciliation “Mussalaha”. As sources of Fides in Homs say, civilians are around 800 (400 Christians and 400 Muslim Sunni) in the neighborhoods of Hamidiyeh and Bustan Al Diwan, one must also add to this number another thousand of these families, all Muslims, who are in the Khalidiyeh area, but also in Warcheh and Salibi.Civilians are assisted by some Catholic and Orthodox priests, who wish to facilitate rescue operations. “The truce gives us hope, we now appeal to all so that we can start the long-awaited release of civilians, including women, children under ten in need of care,” says to Fides the Greek Catholic priest Fr. Abdallah Amaz, who is in Homs.From other parts of the city, meanwhile, many families are fleeing, moving mainly to Jaramana, residential area on the outskirts of Homs, a Christian and Druze majority. The Syrian Church has launched an appeal for the assistance of at least 500 families of Christian refugees who fled from Homs in past months, and have found refuge in Marmarita, near the Lebanese border, where everything is being done to provide food, temporary shelter and medical assistance. ¶ (Agenzia Fides 21/6/2012)

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Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – On the occasion of the Assembly of the Reunion Of Aid Agencies for the Oriental Churches (ROACO), which was held yesterday, his holiness Benedict XVI reaffirmed his closeness “to the sufferings of our brothers and sisters in Syria, especially innocent children and the defenseless.” In his speech the Pope said: "May our prayer, our commitment and our active brotherhood in Christ, as an oil of consolation, help them not lose sight of the light of hope in this moment of darkness, and obtain from God wisdom of heart for all in positions of responsibility, so that bloodshed and violence, that only bring pain and death, may cease and give way to reconciliation, harmony and peace. Every effort should be made, including by the international community, to bring Syria out of the present situation of violence and crisis, which has already lasted a long time and risks becoming a wider conflict that would have highly negative consequences for the country and the whole region. I also issue an urgent and heartfelt appeal, in view of the extreme need of the population, that the necessary humanitarian assistance be guaranteed, and extended to the many persons who have been forced to leave their homes, some of them becoming refugees in neighboring countries: the precious gift of human life must always be defended."In his speech, the Pope highlighted low the East, “the motherland of ancient Christian traditions,” is especially affected by this process, which engenders uncertainty and instability "that also has an impact on the Church and in the ecumenical and interreligious fields. These factors that to reopen the endemic wounds of history and they have a damaging effect on dialogue and peaceful cohabitation among peoples, as well as the authentic respect for human rights, especially the right to personal and community religious freedom. This right should be guaranteed in its public profession, not only in terms of worship, but also in relation to the pastoral, educational, and social activities that are indispensable for its effective exercise. "The Holy Father finally urged those present to always be “eloquent signs of the charity that flows from the heart of Christ and presents the Church to the world in her true mission and identity by placing her at the service of God, who is Love”, and may the intercession of the Most Holy Mother of God accompany the " the Eastern Churches in their homeland and in the diaspora … May she also watch over the coming journey which - God willing - I will make to Lebanon for the solemn closing of the Special Assembly for the Middle East of the Synod of Bishops ". (SL) (Agenzia Fides 22/6/2012)

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Homs (Agenzia Fides) - A strong appeal to respect the humanitarian truce in Homs reaches Fides Agency by representatives of the Christian community, civic leaders and important Sunni Muslims of the city. Families trapped in the old city still have the hope that the team of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, yesterday forced away due to fire bullets, are able to deliver humanitarian aid and evacuate civilians. As sources of Fides in Homs report, there are two distinct areas to consider in the old city: Hamidiyeh neighborhood and Bustan Diwan, where 800 civilians are trapped, 400 Christians and 400 Muslim Sunni; the areas of Al Khalidiya and Al Qoussour, not far away, where there are about 1,000 Muslim families. Fides sources in Homs notice that the Red Cross and Red Crescent have spoken so far only of civilians trapped in Al Khalidiya and Al Qoussour, while the situation is very serious for women, the elderly, the sick, the children in Hamidiyeh and Bustan Diwan. Interviewed by Fides, a spokesman for the Red Cross in Geneva, Bijan Farnoudi, said that "the Red Cross, present in Homs, is trying to enter the old city. The districts mentioned are those we had information about, we will not make any difference and we will try to save all civilians. " Meanwhile, the Christian priests in Homs, who receive daily news from the trapped families, refer to Fides that “the situation deteriorates by the hour: the families are terrified, desperate, squeezed between gunshots, lack of food and medicine.” ¶ (Agenzia Fides 22/6/2012)

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The assault happened in Drousha 20 km south of the capital. So far there are no claims of responsibility. Bashar al-Assad announces that Syria is at war. Government cabinet reshuffled. The priority is to fight and defeat the terrorists.

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Damascus (Agenzia Fides) - The situation of the civilians in the center of Homs is getting worse. About 400 Christian civilians trapped in the Hamidiyeh and Bustan Diwan neighborhoods along with 400 other Sunni Muslim civilians, have launched a desperate cry through the Syrian priests, the various Christian churches in Homs, that civilians are able to contact. As confirmed to Fides by the Syrian priests in Homs Fr. Abdallah Amaz, Fr. Michel Naaman and Fr. Maxime El Jamale, we are talking about Syrian-Catholic, greek-catholic and greek-orthodox families, who live hidden lives and hope to get out of a situation that is becoming harder and harder and more and more dangerous. In past days, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent, after long negotiations between the warring parties managed to obtain a cease-fire, with the hope of being able to enter the area and evacuate civilians from the areas of Khalidiyah, Hamidiyeh and Bustan Diwan. But the truce was not respected and it was impossible to carry out humanitarian operations."Civilians cannot get out of their hiding places and they are terrified. There is only one working bakery and only some, tempt fate, go out once a day to get some food. Some of the civilians find themselves in places close to where armed militants are entrenched " explain sources of Fides in Homs. The armed opposition groups have chosen to entrench in Christian neighborhoods because they are formed by a maze of narrow streets, where heavy military vehicles cannot enter. Meanwhile, the Syrian army, for about three days, seem to have changed strategy: instead of indiscriminate bombing, they penetrate into the “hot zone” with small military units, through a passage near the district of Khalidiyah, an area where about 1,000 Sunni Muslim families reside. The soldiers try to flush out rebel groups in what promises to be, henceforth, a true urban guerilla warfare. A civilian from Khalidiyah was wounded yesterday in the crossfire. Many others, report the sources of Fides, could be victims. ¶ (Agenzia Fides 27/6/2012)

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Damascus (Agenzia Fides) - New meetings and new initiatives for the inter-religious popular movement “Mussalaha” (“Reconciliation”), which proposes a “reconciliation from below” starting from families, clans, the different communities of Syrian civil society, tired of the conflict. While the country is torn by conflict, peace initiatives and meetings are multiplying, being born in an entirely spontaneous and independent manner: in past days a new meeting which involved civic leaders, religious leaders, moderates, Christians and Muslims, tribal leaders, Sunnis and Alawites citizens of the mosaic that makes up the Syrian society, was held in Deir Ezzor, in the province of Djazirah (eastern Syria), near the Euphrates. The movement, note sources of Fides, intends to say “No” to Civil War and notes that “we cannot continue with a toll that totals between 40 and 100 victims a day. The nation is bled white, it loses youth and its best forces.” For this reason a new initiative that comes from the “genius of the people” from people “who want a decent life, who reject sectarian violence and sectarian denominational strife, as preconceived ideological and political opposition are urgently required.” In many Syrian cities, where on one side there are clashes and victims - refer sources of Fides - " gestures of friendship and reconciliation grow, offered by civilian moderate leaders to community representatives considered hostile (this happens between Alawites and Sunnis), in the spirit to ensure security and peace through civil society." The movement hopes to find an institutional reference in the Minister for Reconciliation, the Socialist Ali Haider, who was appointed the new Syrian Executive and from the opposition party "People’s Will Party."But meanwhile, it is finding support abroad: the Irish Mairead Maguire, Nobel Peace Prize in 1976 with Betty Williams and leader of the movement “The Peace People”, in a statement sent to Fides said “No to war in Syria” , and says: “We must put ourselves in the shoes of the Syrian people and find peaceful ways to stop this mad rush toward a war that mothers, fathers and sons of Syria do not want and do not deserve.” The text adds: “We urgently need to support those working for peace in Syria and are looking for a way to help the 22 million Syrians to resolve their conflict, without promoting violence or chaos.” The Nobel Prize invites the UN to “be a forum where these Syrian voices are heard” voices of “people who have worked hard for Syria, to the idea of Syria as a secular, peaceful and modern country.” ¶ (Agenzia Fides 27/6/2012)

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Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – With regards to the testimony of the French priest Fr. Philippe Tournyol du Clos, published by Fides Agency on 4/6/2012, please note that - as confirmed in the letters signed by the then Metropolitan Greek Catholic of Beirut, Mgr. Habib Bacha (see the documents attached) – Mgr. Tournyol du Clos is an Archimandrite and belongs to the Patriarchate of Antioch and of all the East, Jerusalem and Alexandria. The Archimandrite was in Syria in May 2012, and met with representatives of different Christian communities. Fides has published a short account of his journey.Please note that neither the Holy See, nor ROACO (Assembly of Aid to the Eastern Churches) have expressed an official position on the Archimandrite’s story. (Agenzia Fides 28/6/2012)

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Arab League tries to mediate between the various groups. Absent the Free Syrian Army, contrary to a peaceful resolution of conflict. Human Rights Watch releases a shocking report on torture by the Assad regime.

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Damascus (Agenzia Fides) - A large part of the Syrian society rejects the civil war that is devastating and paralyzing the country. Men and women of good will, of every ethnicity and religion, reject sectarianism, and the perverse logic of a conflict that has forced over two million Syrians to abandon their towns and villages and seek refuge in quieter areas.Local sources of Fides underline, at this stage of violence, the extraordinary spirit of mutual help among the different communities that make up the mosaic of Syrian society. Christian families evicted from their homes because of violence, have been welcomed by Muslim families; Samnite Muslim families have taken refuge in the house of Alawites; Alawite and Muslim families are welcomed by Christians. Values such as solidarity and hospitality have the upper hand over violence and hatred. Within the Syrian society spontaneous initiatives of solidarity towards the victims of the conflict have been born. In the province of Damascus private homes belonging to wealthy families have been immediately made available for the displaced. Mosques, churches, community halls, have opened their doors. Popular committees composed of volunteers are working hard to serve the disolaced. The artificial barriers, even between “government and opposition”, often emphasized by the foreign media, have jumped. In some areas, people’s committees of the Syrian Red Crescent, faithful to the state, work with volunteers of coordinating committees of the revolution, without any distinction of religion, community or political affiliation. The aid collected by Muslim associations are distributed to Christians and the aid collected by Christian associations are distributed to Muslims. The pain and suffering unites Syria and brings it back to its original social structure: one based on a social pact that transcends the political configuration.There are, of course, some exceptions: for example in the city of Nebek, where armed gangs rage out of control, the displaced people of Homs have been declared “undesirable” and pushed away. As Fides sources note, some armed factions and criminal organizations are taking advantage in order to benefit from the chaos: private assets and property are ravaged. All communities, Christians, Muslims, Druze, Alawites, complain violence, destruction, insecurity and instability, and call for a common effort for peace. ¶ (Agenzia Fides 05/07/2012)

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Archbishop Mario Zenari appreciates the efforts of the UN, Arab League and the opposition that emerged during the meetings in Geneva and Cairo. But world leaders and Syria must not get lost in the details. Priority: evacuate civilians from affected towns.

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Homs (Agenzia Fides) - “Mussalaha”, the interfaith movement for reconciliation, born spontaneously in the civil society in some Syrian cities (see Fides 12 and 27/06/2012), is taking steps forward and obtained the attention of Ali Haidar, Minister for National Reconciliation. The People’s Committee of “Mussalaha”, as reported by sources of Fides, met in recent days in the region of Homs, in the presence of Minister Haidar, Socialist and from the opposition party “Syrian Social Nationalist Party.” The meeting was attended by the Governor of Homs, Sheikh Ahmad, several tribal leaders, representatives of all ethnic groups and religions, Arab community leaders, civil authorities of the city of Homs, civil society leaders, including Akram Qalish, the Syrian Catholic priest Fr. Michael Naaman, the sheikh Habib Fendi, professionals and ordinary citizens of good will. They all witnessed the desire to “reach out their hand of reconciliation to stop the bleeding of wounds in Syria” and to “unite the children of Syria in love and reconciliation.” The Assembly stressed the rejection of sectarianism, expressing the desire to build a “civilization of love and coexistence” among the children of the same country. The participants reaffirmed the priority of friendship and brotherhood, they then insisted on the urgency of stopping the violence, and promote the work of reconciliation in the country, to rebuild a frayed social fabric, based on forgiveness and understanding.With regards to the demands of civil society, the minister Ali Haider said to have “open doors” and find themselves in a project of national reconciliation, adding that the ministry has a vision and a strategy that will soon be made public. Minister Haidar paid a personal price in the conflict, as his son, Haidar Ismael, was murdered last May. His ministry, he announced, will create an interactive website, with direct telephone lines to receive reports from citizens. The Ministry of Reconciliation, concluded Haidar, is “the dwelling of all Syrians, without exception,” ensuring that his Commission of work “will be composed of 23 million Syrians.” ¶ (Agenzia Fides 06/07/2012)

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Homs (Agenzia Fides) - “Mussalaha”, the interfaith movement for reconciliation, born spontaneously in the civil society in some Syrian cities (see Fides 12 and 27/06/2012), is taking steps forward and obtained the attention of Ali Haidar, Minister for National Reconciliation. The People’s Committee of “Mussalaha”, as reported by sources of Fides, met in recent days in the region of Homs, in the presence of Minister Haidar, Socialist and from the opposition party “Syrian Social Nationalist Party.” The meeting was attended by the Governor of Homs, Sheikh Ahmad, several tribal leaders, representatives of all ethnic groups and religions, Arab community leaders, civil authorities of the city of Homs, civil society leaders, including Akram Qalish, the Syrian Catholic priest Fr. Michael Naaman, the sheikh Habib Fendi, professionals and ordinary citizens of good will. They all witnessed the desire to “reach out their hand of reconciliation to stop the bleeding of wounds in Syria” and to “unite the children of Syria in love and reconciliation.” The Assembly stressed the rejection of sectarianism, expressing the desire to build a “civilization of love and coexistence” among the children of the same country. The participants reaffirmed the priority of friendship and brotherhood, they then insisted on the urgency of stopping the violence, and promote the work of reconciliation in the country, to rebuild a frayed social fabric, based on forgiveness and understanding.With regards to the demands of civil society, the minister Ali Haider said to have “open doors” and find themselves in a project of national reconciliation, adding that the ministry has a vision and a strategy that will soon be made public. Minister Haidar paid a personal price in the conflict, as his son, Haidar Ismael, was murdered last May. His ministry, he announced, will create an interactive website, with direct telephone lines to receive reports from citizens. The Ministry of Reconciliation, concluded Haidar, is “the dwelling of all Syrians, without exception,” ensuring that his Commission of work “will be composed of 23 million Syrians.” ¶ (Agenzia Fides 06/07/2012)

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The Secretary general proposes to replace the UN military observers with a “civilian” mission. For Clinton China and Russia “must pay a price” for their support for Assad, who suffered a severe blow with the abandonment of a loyal general from Republican Guard.

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Envoy wants to bring in Iran. For Clinton, time is running out to avoid a “catastrophic assault.” Syrian naval forces carry out exercise. More than 30 people died yesterday.

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The UN and Arab League envoy arrived in Iran last night. He will try to convince the main ally of the regime of Bashar al-Assad to cooperate for a peaceful resolution of conflict. Criticism of the Syrian opposition, against dialogue with the regime and its allies.

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Homs (Agenzia Fides) - More than 300 fighters in the various armed factions of the Syrian opposition in Homs have agreed to surrender, to come under the protection of the interfaith People’s Committee “Mussalaha” and continue an “unarmed political opposition.” This is the result of a historic agreement promoted by the movement “Mussalaha” (“Reconciliation”), born spontaneously from Syrian civil society, which is gaining the confidence of all the warring parties, families, clans, communities, sectors of the government and armed opposition. The more than 300 armed are mostly young people who are barricaded in several streets in the old town of Homs such as Khalidiye, Jouret al shiyah, Qarabis, Hamidiyah, Bustan Diwan and surrounding areas, still besieged by the forces of the Syrian army. Overall, it is estimated that the armed fighters in that area of the old city are more than 1,000. The Committee of “Mussalaha” in Homs, which includes the Syrian Catholic priest Fr. Michel Naaman, and other Muslim religious leaders and several civil society leaders and community representatives, after a lengthy mediation effort, managed to achieve something unthinkable until yesterday. “The 300 young people ready to lay down arms are young teenagers who had decided to fight, due to the spirit and ideals of the revolution. Among them are relatives, children, friends, people that are part of Mussalaha and this has greatly facilitated dialogue and agreement. They are the children of the Syrian people,” the priest of Homs told Fides. Young people had warranties that the Syrian army, on laying down its arms, will be free and will be able to continue a “non-violent political opposition.” The Committee of “Mussalaha” will be the guarantor of their safety and freedom, in an atmosphere that wants to encourage confrontation, dialogue and reconciliation. It is not excluded, the “Mussalaha” leaders noted, that many other fighters can follow this example and come under the tutelage of the Committee for reconciliation. The main problem, note sources of Fides, is represented now by over 100 armed men who are not Syrian and are present in the area and who have no intention or possibility to qualify for this delicate operation of “internal Syrian dialogue.” They demand the involvement of the Red Cross, so this is why representatives of the CRI are alerted for a possible intervention in the mediation. ¶ (Agenzia Fides 10/7/2012)

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The UN and Arab League envoy is optimistic and says that Tehran may have a “positive role” in resolving the crisis. Assertion disputed by the U.S… The Lebanese army reinforces control over the Syrian border. A Russian naval squadron sent to Tartus.

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Damascus (Agenzia Fides) - The " Syrian Forum of families" has joined the interfaith movement “Mussalaha” (Reconciliation), which is working to find a way of dialogue between the inter-syrian parties in the current civil conflict. The “Mussalaha” intends demonstrate that there is a “third way” possible, an alternative to war and weapons, that of civil society.As reported to Fides, Salman Al Assaf Rails, founder of the Forum, that brings together influential figures in the Syrian society, clans and different communities around the principle cores and values of family, stressed the urgency of “reconciliation, brotherhood, loyalty and belonging,” expressing support for the work of reconciliation, dialogue and an era of reforms. Khalil Noè, president of the executive committee of the Forum, said that the Mussalaha "shows a series of important clues on the health of Syrian society: firstly, the unity of the Syrian people, who constitute one family; then the common commitment against sectarianism and violence; and the awareness and willingness to sit around the negotiating table. These - he said - are the factors to get out of the crisis. "religious figures also belong to the Forum: Fr. Gabriel Khajo stressed the need for forgiveness and love, remembering that the human being is the cornerstone of society and the family is the primary source of education. Fr. Hermes Shiba, Patriarchal Vicar of the ancient Assyrian Church raised a heartfelt prayer “so that God surrounds this Forum with the Spirit of love, reconciliation and peace,” saying that "God created us to live in peace and security: peace generates love: let us love one another and our country."Local committees of the Mussalaha are present in the provinces of Daraa, Deir Ezzor, Idleb, Hama, Homs and have started to obtain positive results, attracting the sympathy of the government and opposition. Recently more than 800 Syrian personalities found themselves in Deir Zor, near Hassaké to say that the only way out of the crisis is internal dialogue and non-violent action. ¶ (Agenzia Fides 11/7/2012)

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Nawal al-Fares, ambassador in Baghdad, was a regime member since the days of al-Assad Afez. The Baath Party has become a tool to kill the innocent. Invitation to army to join the revolution and really defend the population against foreign enemies. Other major defections planned in coming days.

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