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

  • Thread starter Thread starter Agenzia_Fides
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
A

Agenzia_Fides

Guest
Damascus (Agenzia Fides) - “The suffering which we live is great. We are assisting the tragedy helplessly. Fortunately, the Holy Father Benedict XVI fills the void demanding peace, justice, dialogue and reconciliation” Mgr. Samir Nassar, Maronite Archbishop of Damascus says to Fides, a year into the insurgency and violence in Syria.In a message sent to Fides, the Archbishop said that "what started as a small demonstration in the southern part of Syria, on March 15, 2011, has now turned into a crisis engulfing every city in the country. Faced with a crisis that has grown from local to regional proportions in little under a year, Syria has become an international conflict zone where political, military and economic stakes are shaping the future of country ".Archbishop Nassar notes that “the conflict is headed into the unknown: on one side, a strong, centralized power that refuses to let go; on the other, a determined popular uprising that will not alleviate or surrender, despite the intensity of the violence. This conflict, which is paralyzing the country, is defined by: economic sanctions, inflation, devaluation of the local currency (-60%), rising unemployment, destruction, displaced populations and victims by the thousands”. The people "are subjected to enormous pressure and intense suffering that grow as time goes by. Hatred, divisions and misery continue to swell in the absence of acts of compassion and humanitarian relief. Syria is seemingly headed towards a deadly impasse ", he notes with concern.With regards to the condition of Christians, the Archbishop said: “The current deadlock is fueling the anguish of the faithful who, at the end of each Mass, bid their final farewells, so uncertain is their future. The embassy closings in Damascus have made it impossible to obtain visas, thus significantly curtailing the possibility of leaving the country”.“In this time of great torment and division - says Archbishop Nassar - families becomes the sole refuge for victims of the crisis. The family acts as a shield that ensures the survival of society and Church. This is why, in the face of such tragedy, the Church has chosen to focus its attention and prayer on families, by providing them with all available help and support”.But in the meanwhile “the crisis is far from coming to a close. Rather, the storm is getting stronger and the end of the tunnel remains out of sight”. The important question is: “Where is Syria headed?”. With this concern, concludes the Archbishop, Christians begin Lent “in silence, with empty hands, heavy hearts and eyes turned upon the Christ Reborn, who guides our steps along the path of forgiveness and peace” ¶ (Agenzia Fides 15/3/2012)

Full article…
 
In an interview with AsiaNews, Mgr. Mario Zenari, for the past three years nuncio in Damascus, described all the elements that make up the tangled skein of Syria. The deep division between Sunnis and Alawites (Shiites) and the growing hatred. The too fearful Christians must commit themselves to building a society where there is respect for man and his rights, equality for women, equality among all citizens, freedom of religion and of conscience. Being in Syria is a mission. At Homs a priest talks with the rebels and with the army to provide aid to the poor, to save the lives of the inhabitants, to bury the dead that nobody wants to touch. In a year of violence at least 800-900 children have been killed. The majority were shot in the streets by unknown snipers. Syria is changing and there’s no turning back.

More…
 
Qusayr (Agenzia Fides) - Exodus of Christians in the west of Syria: the Christian population has left the town of Qusayr, near Homs, following an ultimatum from the military chief of the armed opposition, Abdel Salam Harba. This is what local sources of Fides report, indicating that, following the outbreak of the conflict, out of the ten thousand faithful who lived in the town, only a thousand have remained, who have now been forced to flee in haste to fury. Some mosques in the city have re-launched the message, announcing from the minarets: “Christians must leave Qusayr within six days, which expires this Friday.” The ultimatum, therefore, expired yesterday, June 8, and produced fear among the Christian population who had begun to hope again after the presence of Father Paolo Dall’Oglio, the Jesuit who stayed in Qusayr for a week, with the idea of “praying and fasting for peace in the midst of the conflict” (see Fides 30/5/2012). The reasons for this ultimatum remain unclear. According to some, it serves to avoid more suffering to the faithful; other sources reveal “a continuity focused on discrimination and repression.” Still others argue that Christians have openly expressed their loyalty to the state and for this reason the opposition army drives them away. Now Christian families from Qusayr have begun their exodus of refugees in the valleys and the surrounding countryside. Some have taken refuge with relatives and friends in Damascus. Some families, very few, sought valiantly to stay in their home town, but no one knows what fate they will suffer. Fides sources insist that Islamic Salafist extremist groups, that are in the ranks of the armed opposition, consider Christians “infidels”, they confiscate the goods, commit brief executions and are ready to start a “sectarian war”. ¶ (Agenzia Fides 09/06/2012)

Full article…
 
Damascus (Agenzia Fides) - In the face of massacres and bloody events experienced recently in Syria, Gregorios III Laham, the Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarch of Damascus, has launched a heartfelt appeal to all the faithful so they live a period of prayer, abstinence and fasting for peace. The Church intends to accompany the difficult situation in the country, so that “God can restore peace, brotherly love and mutual solidarity in Syria, in all its regions and among all its citizens,” reads the message sent to Fides.In the message, the Patriarch said: “In the Eastern tradition of the Church, after Pentecost in the month of June is observed the ‘Fast of the Twelve Apostles’, chief among whom are Peter and Paul, whom the Church in the East and West alike commemorates on June 29. This fast begins this year on June 4 and ends on June 28. Now, after the escalation of violence, especially the widespread series of assassinations and kidnappings for ransom that has affected a great many members of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church and others, especially in Homs, we ask all the children of our patriarchal Eparchy of Damascus to fast and say special prayers every day, at home and in church.” The Patriarch explains: “This is our response to the painful events that have caused weeping and heartbreak, implanting terrifying images and causing hatred and revenge.” The special initiative, informs the Patriarch, is addressed to all, clergy, laity, families, who can turn to God with special prayer intentions: "for all Christians that their hearts may be confirmed in true faith and united in thy Church; for leaders and members of Parliament, that they may be enlightened and follow the ways of understanding, compassion and effectual co-operation for all the inhabitants of Syria, that their hearts may be confirmed in understanding and peace. ¶ (Agenzia Fides 09/06/2012)

Full article…
 
Observers find smouldering houses, the stench of burning flesh, and body parts but few bodies. They need to carry out a closer inspection because the situation “is unclear”. Saudi Arabia and Qatar continue to arm rebels, al-Qaeda extremists and Salafis. A car bomb explodes in Damascus. Turkey urged to lead a NATO intervention. Kofi Annan warns of a large-scale civil war in the making.

More…
 
Al Qabas, Kuwait’s daily newspaper, reports the arrival in Syria of jihadists from Saudi Arabia, Algeria and Pakistan. Among them many are under 18 years of age. Turkey serves as a transit point for weapons and people. A war of fundamentalism against the Alawite Shia and Sunni fundamentalism against the secularism of the Assad dictatorship. The distrust of Christians. The ambiguous West.

More…
 
Qusayr (Agenzia Fides) - The Christian Maurice Bitar was killed in Qusayr, near the town of Homs where the Christian population - about a thousand people out of 10 thousand who lived there before the beginning of the violence - has been forced to flee after the 'ultimatum launched by an armed faction in the opposition forces led by General Abdel Salam Harba (see Fides 09/06/2012). As anticipated by Fides, some Christians, after the warning, however, chose to remain in Qusayr, exposing themselves to considerable risks. Maurice Bitar was killed by a sniper, with three other men while he was out of the house to buy bread for his family. The Christian inhabitants of Qusayr, local sources of Fides report, suffer harassment such as no vehicular access on streets and the obligation to “give way” if they meet a Muslim, “as in the days of the Ottoman caliphate,” notes the source of Fides . The armed opposition, in fact, as confirmed by numerous observers in Syria and abroad, is gradually radicalizing towards Sunni extremist ideology. There are numerous gangs and military groups that operate in a totally independent manner, outside the coordination of the Syrian Liberation Army. The ultimatum launched by the faction of Abdel Salam Harba, for example, was not ratified by other groups: in a statement sent to Fides, the coordination of the same Syrian Liberation Army, stationed at Qusayr, says it is “shocked by the news” and rejects the ultimatum, saying that it is not responsible and does not share it in any way. Two Catholic priests who fled in recent days from Qusayr, reached by Fides, confirm, however, that they heard “with their ears” of the ultimatum, repeated from the minarets of mosques, and left the city with many refugee families. According to Fides sources, “the situation is unsustainable in the area and exposed to total lawlessness.” Christians face a harsh reality: they either join the opposition, enlisting their young ones, or are victims of harassment, discrimination, violence. The fate of Christians in Qusary, concludes the source, could soon touch the 10 thousand faithful who live in other villages in the area, such as Dmeineh, Rableh and Hamra. ¶ (Agenzia Fides 12/6/2012)

Full article…
 
Homs (Agenzia Fides) – It is called “Mussalaha”, which means “Reconciliation”, and is an extraordinary non-violent popular initiative born in civil society in Homs, a city torn by conflict between the regular army and opposition forces. It is the demonstration, and also hope, of a “third way” alternative to armed conflict but also a possible alternative to military intervention from abroad, invoked by the Syrian National Council, which coordinates the Syrian opposition. It is an initiative that, as reported to Fides, "fills a void created by the noise of weapons: it does not side with any of the warring parties, it arises spontaneously from below, from civil society, by all those citizens, parliamentarians, priests, members of all ethnic and religious communities, who are tired of war. " Among the promoters and major supporters of the initiative, there are the Christians in Homs, of all denominations. Among those who have personally exposed themselves, there are two Catholic Greek priests, Fr. Michelle and Fr. Abdallah, the Syrian Catholic priest Fr. Iyad, the Maronite Fr. Alaa, the Syrian Orthodox Fr. Khazal. They have put all their energies in persuading large populations that “in this impasse, we need a shake: the hour of reconciliation has struck .” The initiative took shape with the organization of two meetings held in recent days in Homs, with extraordinary popular participation, which was attended by members of all communities that make up the Syrian society: Alawites, Sunnis, Druze, Christians, Shiites, Arabs. In these meetings we already had an extraordinary and unthinkable result: joint declarations, hugs and solemn commitments, reconciliation between groups, families and Alawite and Sunni communities have been sanctioned- the main protagonists of the current conflict - who have publicly committed to “building a reconciled and peaceful Syria” in the name of mutual respect. While Homs is still the center of conflict, civil society reintroduces terms like “dialogue and reconciliation”, until now forgotten, to say “no to a sectarian war in Syria”, launching an urgent appeal to all leaders involved and the warring parties, so that they return “peace and security to the country and the people.” “Mussalaha” goes on and provides other public meetings in coming days, hoping to “infect” soon all the Syrian cities. ¶ (12/06/2012 Agenzia Fides)

Full article…
 
Mgr Mario Zenari, nuncio in Syria, describes the human devastation caused by the war. There is the danger that factional hatreds might last decades. Christian, Alawi and Sunni leaders in Homs propose dialogue and reconciliation. UN report blames regime and rebels of torturing children.

More…
 
Homs (Agenzia Fides) - There are approximately 800 civilians trapped in the historical center of Homs, to be rescued, while the fighting rages between the army and opposition forces barricaded in the city. Among the civilians, there are about 400 Christians and 400 Sunni Muslims settled in the neighborhoods of Bustan Diwan and Hamidiye, which constitute the oldest part of Homs. Civilians risk finding themselves in the midst of gunfire and bombings, for this reason, as learned by Fides, the representatives of the Christian community and the newly-born non-violent popular initiative “Mussalaha” (“Reconciliation”) have been working tirelessly for two days to negotiate a cease-fire for humanitarian reasons. Among the mediators, there are two Christian priests who, together with UN representatives, have woven thick talks with military leaders of the army and the military representatives of the opposition. In the middle of the difficult negotiations, a dual ceasefire: to allow humanitarian operators and UN convoys to enter the city and rescue the civilians and to allow the evacuation of civilians from the city. With regard to the first hypothesis of truce, the Free Syrian Army forces have placed a “veto”. As for the second hypothesis, the Syrian army puts a stop, fearing that among civilian Sunnis, insurgents and terrorists can hide. “The situation is deadlocked and it is really critical for civilians, who in this period are exploited. Given the fierce fighting, there is the risk of many injuries or deaths among innocent people,” notes with concern a source of Fides.Meanwhile, according to the information Fides received, the various Bishops of Homs, of all denominations, express support for the popular non-violent “Mussalaha” (“Reconciliation”) initiative, founded by the civil society of Homs, which has now received Christian, Sunni, Alawite, and other community support. As Fides learns, “full support and high hopes” have been expressed by the Syrian-Orthodox Bishop of Homs, Mgr. Silvanos; the Syrian Catholic Bishop Mgr. Kassab; the Maronite Bishop, Mgr. Gihad; and Greek orthodox Mgr. Abouzakah, who supervises the majority Christian community in Homs. For now, the ranks of the Syrian opposition to the initiative has not found strong support, according to some representatives it should be postponed until the revolution “has not achieved its main objectives.” ¶ (Agenzia Fides 13/6/2012)

Full article…
 
Qusayr (Agenzia Fides) - A band of radical militiamen broke into the Greek-catholic church of St. Elias in Qusayr this morning, near the town of Homs, desecrating it. The militiamen forced the door, rang the bells in mockery, laughed at the sacred symbols of the Christian faith with the sole purpose of carrying out a demonstrative act and making a mockery of the Christian community. “It is the first time, in the ongoing conflict, that such an episode occurs, in which sacred symbols are deliberately hit,” notes with concern a local source of Fides. In Qusayr the Christians who have chosen to remain are very few, mostly elderly people who were unwilling to abandon their homes. In fact, in the ultimatum launched by an armed faction (see Fides 9 and 12/6/2012), in past days, about a thousand Christians, who were still in town, have abandoned their homes, taking refuge in the surrounding countryside or relatives in other Syrian cities. Some eyewitnesses “saddened and frightened – told Fides about the break-in the church in Qusayr”. The act was condemned by Catholic priests and authorities who talk about the “worrying sign, which confirms the attempt of some armed gangs to unleash a sectarian war.” ¶ (Agenzia Fides 13/6/2012)

Full article…
 
Damascus (Agenzia Fides) - Unlawful killings, torture, arbitrary detentions and indiscriminate destruction of homes: are the actions carried out by the armed forces and “shabiha” government militias in Syria, that constitutes an offense of “crimes against humanity”. Amnesty International, in a statement sent to Fides Agency, asks the international community to “stop the wave of attacks, which get more and more massive and unpunished.” In a new Report entitled “Deadly reprisals”, the NGO speaks of "extensive and systematic human rights violations, including crimes against humanity and war crimes perpetrated by state forces as reprisals against communities suspected of supporting the opposition.Donatella Rovera, of Amnesty International, recently spent several weeks in northern Syria to investigate the violations of human rights, despite not receiving official authorization by the Syrian authorities to enter the country. Amnesty staff reviewed the situation in northern Syria, visiting 23 cities between villages in the provinces of Aleppo and Idlib. In the places visited, 200 interviews were collected, local people reported that civilians (old, young and even children) were taken and killed by soldiers, and in some cases then set fire to the corpses. According to the Report, soldiers and “shabiha” militias burned down homes and properties and fired indiscriminately into residential areas, killing and injuring civilian bystanders during the attacks. Those arrested, including the elderly and sick, were tortured, sometimes to death. Many have disappeared and their fate remains unknown, the Report says. “The armed forces and government militias are responsible for serious violations of human rights and serious violations of international humanitarian law,” it concludes.Since the beginning of the demonstrations for reforms in February 2011, Amnesty International has received the names of over 10,000 people killed. In the Report, Amnesty calls on the UN Security Council to refer the case of Syria to the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court and to impose an arms embargo on Syria. The NGOs in particular, urges the governments of Russia and China to put an immediate end to arms supplies and military training to the Syrian army. The NGO also asks the UN Security Council to freeze the assets of President Bashar al-Assad and others who may be involved in the order or execution of crimes under international law. ¶ (Agenzia Fides 14/6/2012)

Full article…
 
Qusayr (Agenzia Fides) - The Greek-Catholic church of St. Elias in Qusayr, near the town of Homs, has been occupied by a group of gunmen of the Syrian opposition, that have established their base. As reported to Fides by eyewitnesses, on June 13, men, probably Islamic radicals stormed into the church, forcing the door, ringing bells and carrying out a demonstration of scorn that had raised concern among local Christian leaders (see Fides 13/06/2012). But the group, instead of leaving the building, camped inside the liturgical classroom and is now there permanently, carrying out all its activities. The local Church condemns the incident, defining such " behavior unacceptable and disrespectful toward a sacred place," as members of the hierarchy of the diocese of Homs report to Fides, they have also launched an appeal so that the current conflict "does not degenerate into the desecration of temples and sacred places, of all communities. " Fides sources confirm that - as many observers have been arguing for weeks - in the city of Qusayr, south of Homs, there are radical Islamic Salafi groups that “want to fight a war of religion.” In the meanwhile, the few Christians who had remained, mostly elderly people who did not want to leave their homes are escaping from Qusayr. At least a thousand faithful have fled in recent days after the ultimatum launched by an armed faction (see Fides 9 and 12/6/2012 and 9), which called on Christians to leave the city. ¶ (Agenzia Fides 15/6/2012)

Full article…
 
Homs (Agenzia Fides) - “Let us go, in God’s name!” Is a desperate appeal by Christian families and Sunni Muslims trapped in the old town of Homs. We are talking about 800 civilians, including women, elderly, youth, children, disabled people who today – refers one source of Fides engaged in negotiation attempts - "are in real danger. They have nothing, they live in panic, they are in the midst of bombing and fighting. "The families blocked in the city, said the source of Fides, launch an appeal “for humanitarian reasons”, asking the help of the UN, Red Cross, Red Crescent, so that their lives can be saved. The families are located in areas of Warsheh, Salibi, Bustan Diwan, Ozon, Hamidiyeh, Wadi Sayeh, all in the heart of Homs. Currently, the Syrian army would be available for a cease-fire to release the civilians, but a faction of rebels holed up in the city, headed by leading Abu Maan, refuses to consent. The militia, in fact, fear that, once the civilians are outside, the Syrian army can strengthen its offensive towards the city center. The situation is still stalled, but the condition of families worsens by the hour. The approximately 400 Christians are the last remaining of the more than 80 thousand who lived in Homs before the conflict. ¶ (Agenzia Fides 15/6/2012)

Full article…
 
The provocative statement comes from Hassad Firouzabadi, chief of staff of the Iranian Armed Forces. Diplomatic sources and experts confirm the terror network’s increased activity in the region. Muslim extremists want to get their hands on Assad’s chemical weapons and medium-range missiles.

More…
 
Damascus (Agenzia Fides) - “Save us, we are hungry”: is the appeal launched by the families of Homs, seeking the intervention of humanitarian organizations. The situation for about 800 civilians (half Muslim Sunni, half Christians) trapped in the center of Homs is worsening dramatically: according to Fides sources in the Committee that is negotiating with the army and the rebels in order to ensure freedom and safety to civilians, “the families have no food, no supplies has been possible for days, there is no medicine, they risk dying of hunger. There are elderly people and critically ill children, we need humanitarian intervention.” The rebels holed up in the city have said that they could allow the civilians to go out in the evening after 9pm. But at that hour, when darkness takes over, a curfew takes place and if civilians were to come out they would be easily killed in the crossfire, so no one moves.While the UN observers have announced the temporary suspension of their intervention, the Negotiating Committee, composed of lay, religious and civil society leaders, call for at least a cease-fire of a few hours to allow the entry of humanitarian aid to Homs, but so far none of the two warring parties intend to grant it. "We must also ensure that such aid, if granted, as we all hope, will truly reach needy families and are not kidnapped " remarks a source of Fides. ¶ (Agenzia Fides 18/6/2012)

Full article…
 
Beirut (Agenzia Fides) - The conflict in Syria, the plight of the approximately 300 thousand greek-Melkite Catholic faithful in Syria, the appointment of the new Greek-Melkite Bishop of Homs: are among the topics on the agenda of the Greek Melkite Catholic Synod of the Church, which opened today in Beirut, in Lebanon. The meeting will be led by the Greek Melkite Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, Gregory III Laham, who presides an assembly of about 30 Bishops from the Middle East but also from America, Australia and Europe. The Assembly will be asked to appoint the new Bishop of Homs (currently vacant), the city at the center of violent conflict between regular troops and Free Syrian Army rebels. According to sources of Fides, the prelates of the Greek Melkite Synod are very concerned about the fate of the Catholics in Syria, in the center of the conflict. In the discussion of the Synod, what will be explored are ways of non-violent reconciliation, alternatives to the military force, which form the deep desire of Christians in Syria and throughout the Middle East. The Synod of Bishops and representatives have welcomed the appeal by Patriarch Laham (see Fides 09/06/2012) and are living, in the month of June, a period of fasting, abstinence and prayer for peace in Syria, until the feast of Saints Peter and Paul. ¶ (Agenzia Fides 18/6/2012)

Full article…
 
Homs (Agenzia Fides) - The 800 civilians trapped in Homs are caught between the crossfire, unable to get out, exploited in the conflict, now used as human shields: is the alarm that reaches Fides Agency by representatives of the local Church committed to seeking a solution for the salvation of their lives. A faction of the rebel army holed up in the city does not want them to evacuate to avoid the Syrian army to take favorable positions with military means. As reported to Fides by the Orthodox Christian priest Fr. Boutros Al Zein, “among them there are about 400 Christian civilians, mostly elderly and women, victims of authentic kidnapping, blocked in the streets of Al Bustan Diwan and Hamidiyyeh. Civilians – he explains - were collected and directed towards the border of these two streets, becoming human shields to prevent the attack of regular Syrian forces. " In recent days, two Orthodox Christian priests, Fr. Maximos Al Jamal and Fr. Boutros Al Jamal, tried to negotiate to free the hostages, but the initiative failed. Now the Syrian army has officially said to “allow the evacuation of civilians, without preconditions” and that it has established an exit lane. The Syrian Foreign Ministry said he had “ordered the governor of Homs to provide the output of all citizens from areas of conflict.” Local Church leaders call on all armed groups " not to use innocent civilians, to facilitate their evacuation, to respect their lives and their freedom.” ¶ (Agenzia Fides 19/6/2012)

Full article…
 
In his first face to face with Obama since returning to the Kremlin, the Russian President had the satisfaction of seeing Washington admit the need for a “political process” in Damascus, and not outside intervention. Spokesman: Putin intends to continue with the reset.

More…
 
Rome, Italy, Jun 21, 2012 / 02:03 am (CNA/EWTN News).- One of Syria’s most senior Catholic bishops believes his country can still regain the path to peace and reform despite the armed revolt against President Bashar al-Assad now entering its 16th month.
Code: 
“For me there are two solutions,” Chaldean Catholic Bishop Antoine Audo of Aleppo told CNA in Rome June 19.  

“We can go in the direction of a civil war in all Syria and it will be very perilous for everybody or we can go in the direction of reform with rationality, with sincerity, with determination but I think it will take some time.”  

Bishop Audo is visiting the Vatican to participate in ROACO, an annual summit of Catholic aid agencies involved in supporting eastern churches. He briefed the gathering June 20 on the latest situation in Syria.

His assessment drew a distinction between the majority of the country and the area in and around the city of Homs which is at the heart of the uprising. In cities such as the capital Damascus and Aleppo “life looks like normal,” he said.

President Bashar al-Assad has promised to implement democratic reform since the beginning of the rebellion against him in early 2011. His Ba’ath Party has ruled Syria since 1963 with his father, Hafez al-Assad, also holding the post of president for nearly 30 years before his death in 2000.

As members of the minority Alawite religion, a branch of Shia Islam, Bishop Audo believes the years of Assad rule have been stable ones for the 10 percent of the Syrian population who are Christian.   

“The Christians were protected by the regime because they are a minority like him, so we can say that they were protected,” he explained.  

The confessional fault line between the majority Sunni Muslim population and the minority Alawites, who have occupied most of the senior positions in Syrian society for decades, is “the heart of problems in Syria,” suggests Bishop Audo.  

He now fears that if the Assad regime falls that “Christians will be the first to pay” as has happened in other countries caught up in the so-called “Arab Spring.”

“We look to Iraq, we look to Tunisia, we look to Libya, we look to Egypt and we don’t want to become a situation of anarchy or extremism,” he said.

In the meantime, he is urging Catholics around the world to continue to support the Church in Syria through prayer, staying informed and financial aid if possible.
feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/catholicnewsagency/dailynews?d=yIl2AUoC8zA
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/catholicnewsagency/dailynews/~4/VJt4cPrD31c

Full article…
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top