Bishop fears attacks on Christians in Aleppo

July 26, 2012: The Chaldean Catholic bishop of Aleppo—Syria’s largest city—says fear is widespread that Christians there will be attacked. “If they come in around our churches and round our bishopric, just as they did in Homs, it will be disastrous for us,” said Bishop Antoine Audo, SJ.

120,000 Christians fled Homs, the nation’s third-largest city, following attacks by rebel factions during the spring. “If they went into the Christian areas, it would be very bad,” Bishop Audo added. “The fear of Christians is particularly strong. We are a minority. Always we are threatened. What we need is your prayers for all of us. This is a very dangerous time. People are very fearful.”

The Franciscan Fr. George Abu Hazen, OFM, Apostolic Pro-Vicar of Aleppo, says to Fides Agency: "We hear gunshots. The streets are empty and among the population in the city there is great concern and tension”. The Christians of Aleppo, in these hours, pray with more devotion and faith. Despite these dark times, we Christians are the children of the Resurrection, we are the children of Light, and there is hope. Jesus Christ is the Lord of history and is manifested in the history of the Syrian people." "Our task as Franciscans – concludes Fr. George - is to stay close to the people in this moment of pain and insecurity, comforting, helping, bringing a message of love and hope." In Aleppo, out of a total population of over two million people, there are about 180 thousand faithful Christians, divided into different denominations and rites, including Catholics, Orthodox, Armenians.