Jesuits in Syria say dialogue needed to achieve unity in the country.

(June 07, 2011) The Jesuits in Syria are calling for dialogue and national unity in the face of a bloody crackdown by government forces on protesters, who have been calling for the end of President Bashar al-Assad's rule since mid-March. Last week in Damascus, the Jesuit community gathered to pray and meditate on recent events, which have left some 1,200 dead, including 77 children. The situation began to escalate Monday when Syrian authorities claimed that some 120 military personnel were killed in the northwestern town of Jisr al-Shughour by "armed gangs," claims that have yet to be verified by eyewitness accounts.
In a statement sent to Zenit newsagency the priests said "Given the gravity of the situation, on behalf of all those who have shed blood, we implore Syrians on all sides to mobilize urgently to build a sincere national dialogue in order to find a solution to this crisis." With regard to dialogue, the Jesuits said that it must be sincere and moderate, and that each one must take the ideas of the other into consideration. They also invited everyone to reject violence. They especially urged armed military and police personnel to fully respect the dignity of every person.