Violence against Christians escalating in Syrian conflict

(Oct. 24, 2012) Violence against Christians is escalating in he Syrian conflict. On Monday, two Christians were kidnapped and killed when a car bomb exploded in Damascus, reports the Fides news agency. Later on in the evening, Jaramana, a south-eastern suburb of Damascus, was the scene of rebel bombings again this year. A source close to Fides News Agency reported a violent explosion occurred near the Greek-Catholic church of St. Abraham, damaging the surrounding buildings. "Christians are used as objects in a challenge to the government. There is no persecution, they are not killed for their faith, but they are vulnerable and are manipulated in order to achieve other goals," said Melkite Greek-Catholic Patriarch Gregory III Laham in an interview with Fides. The prelate is currently in Rome for the Synod of Bishops on the New Evangelization, recalled as well the kidnapping of the brother of the Rector of his seminary in Lebanon, who has not been seen or heard of since his abduction in July."These events create great anxiety among the faithful," he added.