Faith
Syrian Church Faces Peril Amid Violence
Faith Facts
- Syria’s Christian population has plummeted from 2.1 million to around 540,000 since 2011.
- Archbishop Jacques Mourad, once abducted by ISIS, warns the church in Syria is at risk of collapse.
- Religious minorities remain at risk amid ongoing sectarian conflict and political instability.
The faithful in Syria are enduring deep hardships, with decades of war driving countless Christians from their homeland. Despite the regime’s promises of inclusivity, violence against believers continues across the nation.
Church leaders emphasize that the root of this crisis lies in Syria’s broken political and economic systems and not the actions of the faithful. The ongoing strife fuels both suffering and mass exodus, leaving Christian communities on the brink.
“None of the efforts by the universal Church or the local Church managed to stem the tide of the exodus, because the causes are not related to the Church, but rather to the country’s disastrous political and economic situation.”
Archbishop Mourad draws parallels to Afghanistan, warning that escalating violence threatens to erase Christian presence and any hope for true religious freedom. Additionally, proposals for peace deals that threaten essential resources like water are cause for grave concern.
“Who would accept a treaty such as this? Where are the human rights values that should help ensure that decisions are fair for both parties?”
During his captivity by ISIS, Archbishop Mourad endured unspeakable suffering, yet stood unwavering in faith, becoming a beacon of Christian perseverance. His recent recognition by the Vatican honors his steadfast devotion to peace and reconciliation through the love of Christ.
This urgent situation demands prayer, advocacy, and unity from believers worldwide to defend freedom and support persecuted brothers and sisters in Syria.