On March 8, the three patriarchs of the Christian churches in Syria – the Siro-Yakobite Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II, the Orthodox Antioch Patriarch John X and the Melkite (Catholic Uniate) Patriarch Youssef (Joseph) Absi – made a joint statement. In particular, the statement says:
“In recent days, Syria has witnessed a dangerous escalation of violence, cruelty and killings, which led to attacks on innocent citizens, including women and children.
Homes were disturbed, their holiness was neglected, and the property was looted. Scenes that show the tremendous suffering that the Syrian people endure.
Christian churches, categorically condemning any action that threatens civil peace, also reject and condemn the massacre against innocent citizens, and insist on an immediate termination of those horrific actions that strongly contradict all human and moral values.
Churches also call for the rapid creation of conditions that will favor the achievement of national reconciliation among the Syrian people. They encourage efforts to establish an environment that facilitates the transition to a country respecting all its citizens and laying the foundations of a society based on equal citizenship and a true partnership, freed from the logic of revenge and exclusion. At the same time, they confirm the unity of Syrian territory and reject any attempts to separate it.
Churches call on all countries involved in Syria to take their responsibility, end violence and seek peaceful decisions that support human dignity and preserve national unity. We pray that God protects Syria and its people and the peace to prevail all over the country. “
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First published in this link of The European Times.
