ACI MENA, Jan 4, 2025 / 06:00 am (CNA).
As Syria navigates a transitional phase, questions abound regarding the Church’s role in shaping the new Syrian nation. Has the picture become any clearer after the meeting between Ahmad al-Sharaa, head of the new Syrian transitional administration, and Church leaders at the People’s Palace in Damascus?
The recent gathering included significant participation from Franciscan friars, including Father Ibrahim Faltas, deputy custodian of the Holy Land, along with other Church representatives.
In a press conference, Father Rami Elias, SJ, revealed that the purpose of the meeting between al-Sharaa and Christian clergy was introductory, allowing Church leaders to voice their concerns and questions.
The clerics discussed issues related to the Syrian Constitution, democracy, and equality. Al-Sharaa responded by citing his long years living alongside Christians in Damascus and Daraa. He affirmed that Christians are an integral component of Syrian society.
When asked about al-Sharaa, Elias remarked: “It is ambiguous — we cannot discern his true intentions.”
He noted that al-Sharaa openly expressed his desire to implement a civil legislative system of governance.
“There are no guarantees, and we remain in limbo,” Elias added. “In my opinion, if the United States and European nations maintain their current stance on Syria, we could see the establishment of a civil state, possibly with an Islamic but moderate tone. However, we will be powerless if these nations shift their position.”
Elias did not hide his unease about the uncertain reality, as the future path for Syrians remains unknown. Nonetheless, he urged Christians not to fear, stating: “Our situation will not be worse than it was before.”
Elias emphasized the importance of the Church taking advantage of the present moment to draft its proposal for the upcoming constitution. He foresees that the 1950 constitution might gather widespread approval, albeit with certain amendments.
The meeting did not include the three patriarchs of the Antiochian See residing in Damascus but rather their representatives.
This story was first published by ACI MENA, CNA’s Arabic-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.
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A disaster, and a disgrace for the West. The conservatives about to take control in Washington are, if anything, worse than Biden on this issue of protecting Christians and our Christian sacred sites in the Middle East. Compare Trump’s callous disregard for these our true interests with his brutal support for the ethnic cleansing and imperialist expansionism of Tel Aviv. The West has nothing to say. And Trump’s priorities for the U.S.? Deport Catholics by the million and replace them with Hindus and Sikhs. The West has nothing to say.
Rubbish.
Israel is the reason we can visit Christian Holy Land shrines in the first place. How likely might that be under a caliphate and how many would still be standing?
God bless Israel and may He protect and guide Donald Trump. 🙏
Well said, Mrscracker. You are very correct. Thank you.
Wow, the pure garbage about “ethnic cleansing and imperialist expansionism” pretty much tells us anything you have to say is worthless.
You did hear about the muslim attacks on civilians, women and babies on October 7th, didnt you? Muslim countries 20 times the size of Israel surround them so how you assert the Jews are imperialists is totally delusional.
There’s no excuse to so clueless in the year 2025.
The propaganda horror stories about October 27th have been debunked many times.
Very easily. They have been colonising the lands occupied since 1967, which even the United States recognises are integral parts of other countries. This colonising involves the expulsion of those not assimilable: ethnic cleansing of Christians (as well as Muslims), just like that occurring in Europe so many times. Nineteenth-century European nationalism is the model for this stuff.
Christians have been leaving the Holy Land in droves under Tel Aviv’s rule. They had put up with centuries of Muslim rule (a quarter of the Middle East’s population was still Christian in 1918), but the last couple of generations of Tel Aviv domination has been the last straw. Bethlehem in 1947: majority Christian. Bethlehem today: 5% Christian. A disaster for our interests. Priests living in Jerusalem get spat on every day (not by Muslims), and Israeli police look the other way. What a wonderful place.
Israel is indeed a wonderful place and the great majority of Israelis are just as disgusted by the actions of an extreme splinter group as we are by the actions of the Westminister Baptists.
I have a family member who visited Israel last year and trust me, if you walk through the wrong ultra orthodox neighborhood in Jerusalem on the Sabbath you don’t have to be a member of the Catholic clergy or even a non Jew to have shoes hurled at you. Most Israelis find that extremely obnoxious behavior.
There are no conservatives in Washington, and nobody is going to risk their career to protect Christians.
My guess, Miguel is a a leftist plant who enjoys spewing ridiculous comments. Frankly it is sad, but that is the world we live in.
Regarding Christians in Syria, we in need to pray them, for both their physical protection and spiritual courage.
Rubbish guess ad rubbish if no guess.
The facts are undeniable and the “October 7” missive doesn’t straighten out anything.
Very well put LJ. Thank you.
Correction: The 2003 invasion was only a “coalition of the willing” and was not the occasion of a 15-0 U.N. vote, probably a later vote to lift sanctions. I am mistaken.