Syria: Christians shelter refugees from fighting

Sept 25, 2012: The Christian communities in Aleppo are doing all they can to shelter people fleeing the fighting. Franciscan Fr Georges Abou Khazen, Vicar Delegate for Latin Rite Catholics said: "There are tens of thousands of displaced families in the metropolitan area of Aleppo, who have fled from the neighbourhoods where the fighting is taking place.

"They find shelter in schools, churches, mosques, public buildings. They must eat, drink, sleep, dress, look after themselves. Many volunteers in our communities are taking care of them, along with other Syrian volunteer groups."

Amid reports that some Christian groups have been forming patrols to defend their families and homes from attacks by foreign militants, Fr George said the Church could never support violence, saying: "The Church does nothing but preach love and peace for all, even in tragic situations such as those we are experiencing."

He warned that if Christians did take up arms it would only make them a target in the conflict.

Echoing Pope Benedict who condemned the supply of weapons to the Middle East, describing arms trafficking as a 'grave sin', Fr George said Syria desperately needs food and medicines - 'but they only send arms.'