Threatened by violence, Christians flee Syria, says Aleppo archbishop

ICC Note:
“Christians are the minority most threatened by Syria’s civil war and are trying to flee the country. They feel defenseless against the escalation of violence that has raged in the country for months. Pray for peace and the reconciliation of the Syrian people!” Mgr Antoine Audo, Caldean archbishop of Aleppo, told AsiaNews.
2/22/2012 Syria (AsiaNews) – “Christians are the minority most threatened by Syria’s civil war and are trying to flee the country. They feel defenseless against the escalation of violence that has raged in the country for months. Pray for peace and the reconciliation of the Syrian people!” Mgr Antoine Audo, Caldean archbishop of Aleppo, told AsiaNews.
“We Christians are the weakest psychologically and in terms of self-defence,” the prelate explained. “For us, fleeing is our only salvation, like in other Middle Eastern countries, especially Iraq. All this does serious harm to the Church and the Christian presence in Syria.”
Reiterating the call for dialogue launched by the pope in the Angelus of 12 February, Mgr Audo noted that, despite their fear, Christians can be a bridge between the various warring factions.
“Our presence united around the Church helps Christians and Muslims work together for the good of the country, pushing towards reconciliation rather than vengeance.”
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