Christians in the Syrian
cities of Damascus and Aleppo are terrified of being targeted as
fighting in the country intensifies, according to a senior
bishop.
Chaldean Bishop
Antoine Audo SJ of Aleppo said he and his faithful were
frightened of a repeat of the catastrophe in Homs in the spring,
when the Christian quarter came under fire, forcing a mass
exodus of almost all of them – more than 120,000.
The bishop reported that as the conflict has
deepened, people were turning to him, desperate for help after
leaving their homes and all their belongings and fleeing for
safer towns and villages.
Speaking to Aid to the Church in Need from Aleppo
on Monday, Bishop Audo said: “What we are afraid of is that in
this situation of anarchy, armed people will come into Christian
areas as they did in Homs. If they come in around our churches
and round our bishopric, just as they did in Homs, it will be
disastrous for us.”
He
reported that at his Sunday Mass in Aleppo yesterday, the church
was half empty because people were too afraid to leave their
homes.
The bishop described the
reasons why Christians were under particular threat as “very
complicated”, adding: “I am not able to give clear reasons why
the fighters would attack Christians. But what we can say is
that if they went into the Christian areas, it would be very
bad. The fear of Christians is particularly strong. We are a
minority. Always we are threatened.”
Stressing safety fears, the bishop said: “What
can we do to protect the people? We do not have any possibility
to do that. Not only are Christians in this very dangerous
situation but there are some Muslims too – those who are seen as
sympathisers with the government.”
The bishop thanked people – including Aid to the
Church in Need supporters – for providing food, medical aid and
shelter to more than 1,000 families who had fled Homs for
smaller towns and villages outside the city.
“It is very difficult, especially for people from
Homs, who have left everything behind. The poor people have
nothing. They lost everything so they very much appreciate Aid
to the Church in Need’s help.”
But he went on to call for more assistance: “We
have to be able to help more and more people – especially in two
areas: food and medical care.”
The bishop spoke of being put under pressure to declare support
for the regime or the rebels.
“When I am asked which side do I support, I
always answer, I am on the side of my country. I am doing
whatever I can to save Syria, this lovely country of ours.”
The bishop added: “What we need is your prayers
for all of us. This is a very dangerous time. People are very
fearful.”
Aid to the
Church in Need has launched an appeal for Syria, working with
Bishop Audo and others to provide emergency and pastoral
support. You can make a donation online or by calling 020 8642
8668.
