Mideast: Christians In Danger, Patriarch Gregory Warns Pope Francis

[Apotheoun]

Mideast: Christians in danger, Patriarch Gregory III warns Pope Francis

 

 

Rome, 19 March (AKI) - Christian minorities in the Middle East are under threat, especially in conflict-wracked Syria, the Patriarch of the Church of Antioch has warned Pope Francis, Adnkronos International (AKI) has learned.

 

"The crises in the Middle East, particularly in Syria, are endangering Christians present in the region," Patriarch Gregory III Laham told AKI, quoting a letter he said he has written to Francis.

 

"Interfaith dialogue and coexistence between Islam and Christianity are also in jeopardy," he said.

Francis is an expert on the situation in the Middle East and "God willing" will put the region's problems high on his list of priorities," the patriarch stated.

 

Argentinian cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was enthroned as Pope Francis on Tuesday after being elected pontiff in a conclave of cardinals last week to replace 85-year-old Benedict XVI who abdicated in February on health grounds.

 

As Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Bergoglio was responsible for the Catholic community in the Middle East and was a point of contact for emigres from Lebanon, Syria and all the countries in that region.

 

"I hope that the Pope will ensure a better future for all Arab countries and their peoples," concluded the Syrian-born patriarch, who is also the spiritual leader of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church.

 

 

Source: Adnkronos.com

[Didacus]

As Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Bergoglio was responsible for the Catholic community in the Middle East and was a point of contact for emigres from Lebanon, Syria and all the countries in that region.

 

really?

Doesn't seem to fit for me...

:think:

[Anastasia13]

Nothing new except the post right above me. I met a family a couple months ago that came here from Syria for a better life. Same basic news, Christians are persecuted. Islam obtains power. Christians move out. Islam takes over. Now what can we do about it?

[Apotheoun]

As Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Bergoglio was responsible for the Catholic community in the Middle East and was a point of contact for emigres from Lebanon, Syria and all the countries in that region.

 

really?

Doesn't seem to fit for me...

:think:

I think the article is saying that Cardinal Bergoglio was the point of contact for middle east Christians living in Argentina. After all, he was the ordinary for Eastern Catholics in Buenos Aires.

[Didacus]

I think the article is saying that Cardinal Bergoglio was the point of contact for middle east Christians living in Argentina. After all, he was the ordinary for Eastern Catholics in Buenos Aires.

Ah ok - that fits!

:photo:

[4588686]

Nothing new except the post right above me. I met a family a couple months ago that came here from Syria for a better life. Same basic news, Christians are persecuted. Islam obtains power. Christians move out. Islam takes over. Now what can we do about it?

Islam already was in power in Syria. I guess. What is different now is the massive civil war that has engulfed Syria. It would be nice if there were something to be done for Syrian civilians in general but that's not going to happen because Russia is protecting Syria in the Security Council. But I'm sure that Krill will publicly denounce Putin for this any day now.

[KnightofChrist]

Islam already was in power in Syria. I guess. What is different now is the massive civil war that has engulfed Syria. It would be nice if there were something to be done for Syrian civilians in general but that's not going to happen because Russia is protecting Syria in the Security Council. But I'm sure that Krill will publicly denounce Putin for this any day now.

 

I would be nice if our own President and nation stopped helping wars like this get started. It would be nice if we would stop trying to topple one dictator we don't like, causing much chaos and death, only to replace him with another we apparently support.

[4588686]

I would be nice if our own President and nation stopped helping wars like this get started. It would be nice if we would stop trying to topple one dictator we don't like, causing much chaos and death, only to replace him with another we apparently support.

 

 

How did we help this war get started? 

[KnightofChrist]

How did we help this war get started? 

 

This particular conflict may, may, have started without our influence. But we have certainly helped to continue it and increase it, by funding and supporting the so called rebels.

 

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/08/01/us-usa-syria-obama-order-idUSBRE8701OK20120801

[Apotheoun]

Assad is a member of a Alawi sect (a subset within Shia Islam), and although I would not say that the Alawi have always been friendly to Christians in Syria, they have tended to protect them from persecution by the Sunni majority.

[4588686]

Assad is a member of a Alawi sect (a subset within Shia Islam), and although I would not say that the Alawi have always been friendly to Christians in Syria, they have tended to protect them from persecution by the Sunni majority.

I don't see why every thread you start has to at some point bring Shia into this

 

 

http://www.justjared.com/photo-gallery/2707075/shia-labeouf-liberty-ross-lawless-hollywood-premiere-06/

[Apotheoun]

I don't see why every thread you start has to at some point bring Shia into this

 

 

http://www.justjared.com/photo-gallery/2707075/shia-labeouf-liberty-ross-lawless-hollywood-premiere-06/

Yes, his presence in the fourth Indiana Jones movie killed the franchise.

[4588686]

Yes, his presence in the fourth Indiana Jones movie killed the franchise.

 

 

It's easy to hate him.  But as a society we'll all be better off once we let go of our collective rage towards him.  

[T-fish]

Christians in the Middle East have always been under attack since they started following Jesus. 

 

But the islam attacks are from islam still being p- offed about the crusaders. 

 

 

[Apotheoun]

Christians in the Middle East have always been under attack since they started following Jesus. 

 

But the islam attacks are from islam still being p- offed about the crusaders. 

Of course the Christians in the Middle East, both past and present, had nothing to do with the Crusades, and Eastern Christians generally dislike the fact that the Crusades took place as much as Muslims do. Interestingly many Eastern Orthodox date the definitive separation between the Roman Church and the Churches of the East to the Crusade of 1204, and not to the earlier excommunications issued in 1054.

Edited March 22, 2013 by Apotheoun