Cardinal Zenari: Signs of "Improvement" in Syria but Christians Continue to Suffer

AsiaNews ^ | 6/19/17

[marshmallow]

In Aleppo, up to two-thirds of the Christian population has left the city, about half has left the rest of the country. Jobs must be provided for those who remain, education to their children, and "spiritual support" so that they can continue the mission of "bearing witnesses to Christ" in a Muslim-majority country. Next week, the cardinal will meet with the pope.

Rome (AsiaNews) - In recent weeks, "violence seems to have dropped" in Damascus and other areas of Syria, but not in “Raqqa and other parts of that province" where "heavy fighting" continues. Another critical area is "in the south, on the border with Jordan", but "things have improved elsewhere,” said Card Mario Zenari, apostolic nuncio to Damascus, speaking to AsiaNews.

The prelate is currently in Italy, where he will meet Pope Francis next week. The Holy Father has always shown particular attention for his "beloved and martyred Syria".

In this context, "the situation of Christians is one of general and broad suffering" which affects "the whole population", although in this context "minority groups, including Christians, are most at risk."

According to a recent report, up to 80 per cent of the original Christian population has left Iraq and Syria in recent years, due to the war and Islamic extremist movements.

As times goes by, Christians seem to lose more and more hope of being able to return. Some found refuge in the region, especially Lebanon and Jordan, in often precarious conditions. Others have left for Europe, the United States, Canada and Australia, the main diaspora centres.

This exodus is due to the high cost of living, the lack of work and educational opportunities, the destruction of Christian towns and the loss of a sense of community.

"Middle East statistics are always difficult to evaluate or comment on," Card Zenari..........

[BlackVeil]

Thanks for this update on the beautiful city of Aleppo and its Christian population.

Aleppo is now under danger from the Kurdish militias in the north, threatening to cut off the water supply. Such a war it is in Syria ...

[LegendHasIt]

And if the Globalists manage to get rid of Assad, the well-being of Christians In Syria will dis-improve very badly very rapidly.