Catholics in war-torn Syria do their best to ‘live in peace’ – Catholic World Report

ACI Prensa Staff, August 15, 2024 / 4:13 pm (CNA).

Christians in Syria, devastated by civil war for more than 13 years, are doing their best “to live in peace,” said Syrian Catholic Archbishop of Aleppo Denys Chahda.

In an interview with EWTN Noticias, Chahda said that many basic services and guarantees still need to be improved so that Syrians can lead a normal life, such as “security, which is currently worse than before.” The archbishop pointed out that poverty has led to an increase in robberies in homes, shops and on the streets. In addition, the international trade embargo against the country is exponentially exacerbating shortages, he said.

“There is not enough money to buy food. Wages are very low, not even $3 to $4 a month for each worker,” he stressed. He also lamented the current unemployment figures, which only exacerbate the shortages and insecurity.

Another serious problem in Aleppo, the country’s most populous city, is the lack of electricity. Power is available for only two hours a day. The situation becomes even worse during the hot months, when people do not have air conditioning and have to pay very high prices for electricity from private sources.

Given this situation, the Catholic Church has played an important role in helping the community live in peace. “We work with the people in general,” said Chahda. In Aleppo, Christians are trying to meet the needs of Muslim families.

In addition to helping with the payment of electricity and rent, the Church also supports the weakest with food and medicine through various organizations, but above all through the papal foundation “Aid to the Church in Need”.

“In this way it helps our Syrian Catholic people and the entire Church. And from our side it also helps a little the Muslims so that they understand that we are brothers and that we love one another,” the archbishop explained.

Chahda also stressed the importance of keeping faith alive in times of need by attending Mass and urged Syrian Catholics abroad to continue to support their families in the country financially.

“The military war and the killing are (relatively speaking) over, and the economic war and the embargoes have crushed the people. We have not yet come out of the sadness and darkness that our city of Aleppo is experiencing. Everyone is suffering, everyone is criticizing. This war has ruined us. It has destroyed families in their humanity, Christians and Muslims,” ​​the archbishop lamented.

In conclusion, Chahda emphasized the faith of Syrian Christians despite all suffering and difficulties, a faith based on the example of great local saints such as Saint John Damascene and Saint Simeon Stylites.

“Syrian Catholics attach great importance to their faith. Christians in Syria, especially in Aleppo, are people of the Church, they are people of faith. They follow this relationship with God and Jesus,” he said.

In conclusion, the prelate addressed a message to Syrian Catholics around the world: “There in the diaspora, you can lose yourself in the new life you are leading, but do not forget that you have a very strong spiritual foundation.”

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It was translated and adapted by CNA.