Melkite patriarch criticizes Western policies, vows to remain in Syria

August 10, 2015

In recent interviews with Aid to the Church in Need, the head of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church criticized Western policies toward Syria and vowed to remain with his flock in the war-torn nation.

“If [the West] helps moderates in Syria in a direct way, [it is] helping ISIS in an indirect way,” said Patriarch Gregory III Laham, 81. “If you give money to the weak, moderate groups one day, it will get into the hands of the powerful, militant groups the next. We see this happening every day.”

450,000 Syrian Christians have fled their homes, he said, and 50,000 now live in Sweden, while 40,000 live in Germany.

“Every day people are leaving the country, some with visas, some without,” he said. “Sometimes, people take with them thousands of dollars in the hope of getting to Europe-- leaving themselves open to exploitation or worse.”

“The people are frightened of the advancing terror,” he added. “But on the other hand there are also many who remain here and rebuild their lives. The churches are full, there is youth work, there are processions, ceremonies, children are going to school.”

“We shepherds will remain with our flock, to die for them and with them,” he continued. “We will stay so that the people can have life.”

 

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Further information:

• Syria: “We are in a school of faith” - Patriarch Gregory III Laham (Aid to the Church in Need)
• Melkite Patriarch faults West's Middle East policies, but says Syrian Church will survive (Aid to the Church in Need)