Catholic leaders warn of Christian exodus from Middle East

(June 20, 2012) Catholic leaders warned about the dangers of a continued exodus of Christians from the Middle East during a Christian-Muslim dialogue meeting in a Beirut mosque. "If the East is emptied of Christians, it will pave the way for a destructive conflict between Christians and Muslims," said Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, president of the Pontifical Council for Inter-Religious Dialogue. "When Christians and Muslims work together, they are able to create a better future," Cardinal Tauran said as the three-day meeting opened on June 18. The prelate called for Christians and Muslims to work and live together in peace. Dozens of religious representatives participated in the meeting, which discussed "Christians and Muslims Building Justice and Peace Together in a Violent, Changing World." Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, retired archbishop of Washington, and Fr.Paul Rouhana, secretary-general of the Middle East Council of Churches, were among Catholics joining Anglican representatives, a Lebanese Sunni and four Iranian Shiites.