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Syria in transition: Christians live between hope and fear
Cardinal Schönborn's Middle East representative warns of the unstable situation in Syria, especially for Christians and minorities.
Syria in transition: Christians live between hope and fear
In a recent call, Maronite Patriarch Bechara Rai emphasized that Christians in Syria must not be ignored in the reconstruction of the country. The patriarch, speaking from Lebanon, spoke during a service about the essential role of Christians in Syrian society. He underlined the historic roots of Christianity in Syria and called on the new leadership to promote an inclusive society in which all faiths have equal rights, it was reported Vatican News.
At the same time, Manuel Baghdi, Cardinal Christoph Schönborn's Middle East representative, expressed concern about the tense situation of Christians in Syria. According to Baghdi, many people are torn between hope and fear when considering the country's new constitution, which could potentially contain provisions that are unfavorable to women. In particular, the fact that the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) rebels send peaceful messages, but the leader has connections to former terrorist organizations, makes the situation fragile. Baghdi reported attacks on Christian symbols and an incident in Aleppo, where a large Christmas tree was toppled, shows the threat to religious minorities Kathpress reported.
The challenges of refugees
The refugees from Syria are also under pressure. Baghdi warned of uncertainty in the asylum process in Austria after the government announced it would put decisions on Syrians' asylum applications on hold and launch a review. This has sparked fears of deportations among Syrian refugees. In the context of the current political changes in Syria, an individual assessment of eligibility for asylum, especially for Christians and people critical of the regime, is of great importance, he further emphasized.
Overall, the situation for Christians in Syria remains precarious. Uncertainty about the future political landscape and the impact of the new rulers are increasing fears. While there is hope for peace, the country is still in the stranglehold of fear and mistrust, making the plants of justice and peace difficult for the entire society.