Gregory III urges Christians in the Middle East not to emigrate

Damascus, 28 December 2013: "Stay here! Don't emigrate!" Despite all the difficulties, destroyed churches, abandoned parishes, marginalization, Middle East Christians should "remain staunchly in their land, village or district," said Gregory III Laham, Greek Catholic Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, in a deep and moving appeal to the region's Christians contained in the letter he addressed to them on the solemnity of Christmas and New Year.

Titled Rejoice, Mary, who hast shown the Lord Christ, Lover of mankind!, the letter explains the reasons why Christians are needed in the Middle East, even if they often suffer from marginalisation and violence by Islamic fundamentalists, and just as their presence is increasingly appreciated by Muslim representatives.

At the same time, the lengthy message calls on Muslims to help guarantee Christians full citizenship and equality in rights and duties in Syria, Egypt, Iraq, Palestine and Lebanon.

Starting with a strong theological and spiritual flavour, the patriarch shows the mystery of the Church veiled in Mary, who gave the world Christ, the man-God, testifying to his faith through love, acts of mercy and charity, which "is how the Church has appeared in our Arab world… through its love, service, institutions and projects."

"This Muslim Arab world needs us", Gregory wrote. "I dare say that without us Christians there can be no Arabness. A big Muslim businessman in a public meeting, that the Muslim Arab world needs the Christian presence to be Arab and Muslim, and for living together, democracy, social justice, openness to be realized…."

In listing the many "challenges" the region's Christians are facing, the patriarch writes that some of them are common to all Arabs, others are specific to Christians.
A desire for security, fatigue over Arab divisions, Arab revival and cooperation with Muslims are among the first. A desire not to be considered second-class citizens; the possibility to spread freely the Christian message; the right to ensure that their children study, work and are not marginalized; the separation of religion and politics, and a stop to the growth of Islamist and fundamentalist movements that restrict the space of others are among the second.

Christians and Muslims must meet these challenges together, Gregory notes, especially those of "extremism, fundamentalism and Takfir," the latter being the practice of condemning other Muslims for apostasy.
The Arab world needs Christians because of their contribution to its just development, which they do by manifesting the "Gospel's values." "We want Christians to show Christ in their life, behaviour, presence, witness, involvement, interaction in their society, political activity and service in the various sectors of life in their society."

In expressing his best wishes for Christmas and the New Year, he noted that the international community has come to pay more attention to the situation in Syria mainly due to Pope Francis' interest and prayers. He also expressed some hope for the upcoming peace conference (Geneva II).Source: AsiaNews