Patriarch's Christmas message offers hope to Middle East Christians
(December 22, 2012) Amid continuing turmoil in the Middle East, Latin Patriarch Fouad
Twal of Jerusalem sent a message of hope and support to Christians of the region.
"It is a very difficult situation. We have to support them. They must not lose hope,"
the patriarch said on Wednesday as he delivered his Christmas message. "We are not
alone, many people, including the Vatican, are concerned about the situation and this
gives more hope." Though he said he was concerned about the continuing struggle and
bloodshed in Egypt, Syria and elsewhere, in his message, Patriarch Twal expressed
support for the political changes occurring and urged Christians in the region to
become involved so they are not excluded from the movements. He defended "the changes
taking place in favour of freedom and democracy. We want our Christian faithful to
be involved and not feel foreign in this movement," he said. "They have full citizenship.
It is their land, their country, their present, their future." In his message, the
patriarch emphasized the need for the protection of human rights and respect for the
dignity of people during these times. "I also hope and pray that competent authorities
make every effort to calm the spirits, without violence, and to protect the minorities
who are an integral part of the population in the region." Patriarch Twal's message
said. "We must grasp this moment of opportunity to build a new society based on equal
citizenship for all."