Syrian bishop pleased that Pope-Patriarch meeting will focus on suffering Christians

February 12, 2016

A Syrian bishop has said that the suffering Christians of his country can take some comfort from the knowledge that their plight helped to bring together Pope Francis and Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill for their historic meeting.

Bishop Georges Abou Khazan, the Latin-rite apostolic vicar of Aleppo, told the Fides news service that his people are also excited about talk of a possible ceasefire. "For us it would be a dream," he said. But he added that it is uncertain how jihadist groups would respond to a ceasefire declaration by Syrian leaders and rebels.

The Syrian bishop observed that a spokesman for the Moscow patriarchate has cited the persecution of Christians as the main reason for advancing plans for the meeting between the Patriarch and the Pope. "This for us is a great consolation and helps us to move forward, even if we still have to suffer," he said.

 

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Further information:

• The Bishop of Aleppo: the meeting between Francis and Kirill is also the fruit of our suffering. And this comforts us (Fides)