Scottish Catholic Observer

Maronite Archbishop Samir Nassar of Damascus has warned Christians in Syria that they only have two choices left to them: to die or to leave.

The archbishop said the situation in Syria is incredibly grim with defenceless civilians, both Christians and Muslims, being killed each day by bombs, car bombs, snipers, a lack of medical care, malnutrition, and a lack of adequate food for diabetics, heart patients and nursing staff.

The local Church has become, a ‘wall of tears,’ to which all are turning everyday ‘for protection and help in finding a visa to leave,’ he stated.

Since 2005, Syrian Christians ‘have seen the UN organise the systematic departure of Iraqi refugees towards the West,’ but they feel abandoned, destined to die without being able to escape. Consulates have been closed for a year and a half, he said.

Archbishop Nassar also describes his priests as ‘heartbroken’ as they witness the plight of the poor Christians ‘who do not find any reason to have to die in this senseless war.’

The archbishop also said he did not know what to tell his flock.

“To advise them to stay could lead to death like a lamb dumb before the butcher,” he said. “Our martyrology simply gets longer. Helping them leave means emptying the Biblical Land of its last Christians. This dilemma can only be resolved by relying on the heart of God, offering the Faithful pastoral closeness that helps them perceive the reality of Jesus’ words, which never disappoint: ‘Do not be afraid, I am with you.’”

—This story ran in full in the April 19 print edition of the SCO