Christians in the Middle East Archives

‘Roughly half’ of Iraqi, Syrian Christians have fled since 2011
- Catholic News Agency, Global Church
- June 17, 2017
The Christian population of Syria has been halved, from about 2 million since 2011, according to a new report by Christian advocacy groups Open Doors, Served, and Middle East Concern. The report found that between 50 and 80 percent of Christians have fled the countries of Iraq and Syria and that about 35 percent more wish to leave.
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House praised for passing bill to help ISIS genocide victims
- Church in the US
- June 9, 2017
The United States House of Representatives has passed a bipartisan bill, the “Iraq and Syria Genocide Emergency Relief and Accountability Act of 2017.” The proposed law would provide help and hope to suffering members of religious minorities in Iraq and Syria who have been “left out and left behind.”
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Pope Francis says Egypt trip promoted ‘healthy secularism’
- Pope Francis in Egypt, Vatican
- May 3, 2017
Pope Francis said on Wednesday that his April 28-29 trip to Egypt was intended as a “sign of peace” and a way of promoting a vision of “healthy secularism” for the entire Middle East region, in which religion and state are separate but religion is encouraged and allowed to flourish. He called on Christians in the Middle East to be “salt and light,” and prayed for new Christian martyrs.
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Vatican decries “genocidal scourge” of terrorism in the Middle East

The chief Vatican diplomat to the United Nations said “there is no greater antidote to violence and hatred than dialogue and encounter” during a debate on the situation in the Middle East taking place at the UN Security Council. Archbishop Bernardito Auza also called on religious leaders to speak out against terrorism, especially when it’s done in the name of God.

In talk with top diplomat, bishop stresses church concern for common good

The U.S. bishops’ conference has told the Trump administration that because of the Church’s humanitarian agencies, its solidarity visits, and long-term contact with local governments and populations around the world, the Church lends a credible voice to international affairs.

Papal trip less important than ‘facts on the ground,’ Middle East Christian leader says

Speaking about the situation of Christians in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon, Syriac Patriarch Ignatius Ephrem Joseph III Younan acknowledged that if he had children, he too would be trying to flee the region, despite the efforts being expended by the Catholic Church, which include guaranteeing that refugees have a roof over their heads and not just a tent.