Liqaa Center – Rabweh
(Lebanon) 6/12/2013
The Assembly of the Catholic Hierarchy of Syria,
presided over by Patriarch Gregorios III, met in special session with Cardinal
Robert Sarah, President of the Vatican’s Cor Unum.
The members of the Synod wished to express
their gratitude on this occasion to all those who, over the last two and a half
years of the Syrian crisis, have helped the Church in Syria carry out its
service of aiding all Syrian citizens and especially Christians, through Caritas
Syria and all welfare associations.
Our gratitude goes above all to Pope Francis, the
Holy See, Cor Unum and its President, Cardinal Sarah, who have been
especially alert to the needs of our Churches and our country.
We thank the episcopal conferences and the
various, especially Catholic, charitable organisations, which have helped us through
the projects of Caritas Syria, (presided over by Bishop Antoine Audo SJ)
which is working in the Assembly’s name.
Many of our eparchies and associations have
received assistance from various organisations. Through this statement to the
international press, we should like to thank them.
Through this ministry of Christian service, you
are helping us fulfil the motto of the Special Assembly for the Middle East of
the Synod of Bishops: Communion and Witness. Indeed, we are giving exemplary
witness to the evangelical values of love and service, especially to the
poorest, after Pope Francis’ example and in accordance with the teachings of the
Gospel and the Church.
As bishops and ministers of reconciliation, we are
seeking to put an end to this disastrous, tragic war which has caused so much
bloodshed! This war has created so many injured and disabled sufferers, refugees
and victims and inhumane, tragic situations.
We are praying, and ask everyone to pray, for
peace in Syria and throughout the Middle East, cradle of Christianity.
End the war! Stop the violence! Stop the noise
of weapons! Let us hear the voice of forgiveness, reconciliation and peace!
We are getting ready for Christmas! Despite our
sufferings, we are determined to sing with faith, hope and spiritual strength that
hymn first chanted in our land of Palestine, and we invite our friends, partners
and the whole world to sing with us,
“Glory to God in the
highest, and on earth peace; goodwill towards men!”