Card. Sandri calls for intensifying prayers for peace in Syria

August 29, 2013: Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, Prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches, in a statement about the situation in Syria released to L' Osservatore Romano said “In these hours of trepidation intensify prayers for the situation in Syria, which has worsened in the sensitive Middle Eastern context, with open wounds in Egypt , Iraq and other regions. The ardent appeal by Pope Francis at the Angelus on Sunday, August 25, brought comfort to the entire Syrian population, ensuring the Congregation for the Oriental Churches, Pastors and faithful who continue to invoke the gift of peace. The communities of the motherland unite the many orientals around the world in the same appeal, because reconciliation is louder than the voice of the weapons.”

Echoing the message sent on the occasion of the episcopal consecration of the new Pastor of the Melkite Arch Diocese of Bosra and Hauran in Syria on 25 August at Beirut in the presence of the Patriarch Gregory III , whose headquarters is in Damascus, and the Apostolic Nuncio in Lebanon and Syria, the cardinal said: "We pray for peace in the Middle East and the world , asking the Lord Jesus and to the Immaculate Heart of Mary to fortify the hope of all the Eastern faithful . Our hearts turn to Syria , surrounded by the ' great tribulation ', that the violence stops; that Almighty God enlighten the conscience of all those who are responsible and heal every pain with our charity. "Recently, the Maronite Patriarch , in the presence of the other Catholic Patriarchs and of the highest public office, consecrated Lebanon to the Heart of the Most Holy Mother of God, entrusting the fate of the East to her intercession.

Other bishops ordained for Syria are struggling to keep their people together. The shepherds with their faithful, are forced to continue moving in the Syrian territory to remedy the serious dangers unfortunately so widespread and faceless. With deep bitterness and great sadness, but at the same time with the great hope, the Eastern Catholics huddle in prayer around the Pope in the certainty that the God of all comfort and peace will never abandon the land sanctified by the beginning of Redemption. The heart is open to Christians of all denominations and those who believe in the One God as the highest authority of peace and life in the Middle East, will prevail over every other interest or resentment. Have priority of justice over any other reason for the international community, reconciliation and respect supportive of personal and social rights, including religious, of all components of the population of the Middle East, without distinction.