TEXAS GOSPEL STAFF
The recent capture of Damascus by rebel forces has ended 53 years of Assad family rule in Syria, prompting both hope and uncertainty for the country’s Christian minority.
Fr Bajhat Karakach, a Franciscan friar serving as Aleppo’s Latin-rite parish priest, explained that many Christians welcomed the regime change according to Vatican News Service. He stated that Syrians, including Christians, had grown weary of living under a government that offered little economic growth or development.
Over the past few years, rebel groups have shown increasing tolerance towards Christians, including returning previously confiscated property. After taking control of Aleppo, the rebels sent messages of tolerance to all minority groups, including Christians.
However, concerns remain about the future of Syria’s Christian community. Before the war, Christians made up about 10% of Syria’s population. Due to persecution by extremist groups and the impact of the civil war, their numbers have fallen from 1.5 million in 2011 to approximately 300,000 in 2022.
The international community’s role in stabilizing Syria and helping develop a new constitution that respects the rights of all citizens has been emphasized by religious leaders. Christians in Syria have faced challenges in recent years, including violence and discrimination. In Aleppo, the proportion of Christian residents decreased from 12% before the war to 1.4% in 2023. More than 20 churches were damaged during the conflict.
As Syria enters a new era, the fate of its Christian community remains uncertain. While some religious leaders express cautious optimism, others stress the need for continued vigilance and international support to ensure the protection of minority rights in the country’s future
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