The Pontifical Foundation helps the Church in need (UNHC) called to pray “intensely” after the “massacres” against civilians that occurred in recent days in the coastal area of Syria.
The murders against civilians, mainly alauitas – members of the Islam branch that the overthrown dictator Bashar al Asad is framed – are framed in the efforts of the government of Ahmed al Sharaa, Muslim Sunita, for quelling the sources of resistance of sympathizer groups of the defenete Syrian governing, asylum in Russia.
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“In these moments of pain and suffering, we turn to the only true source of peace: prayer. We ask all the faithful to raise their voices to the Lord, trusting in his love and power to lead comfort to those who need it most, ”said Regina Lynch, ACN executive president, in a recent statement, in which the Pontifical Foundation also requested” praying intensely for Syria. “
“That Our Lady of Syria protects the people of this country, who has endured too many wounds in the last decade. Now more than ever, we must pray for its healing and future. May faith keep us together, and that hope in Christ enlighten this suffering nation, ”he added.
In recent days, the images of the massacres against Alaruitas civilians have shocked international public opinion. According to the Syrian Observatory of Human Rightsadd up to at least 973 civilians killed.
Citing sources that maintains in anonymity for security reasons, ACN points out that on Friday, March 7 was “a very black and painful day” in the coastal sitia locations Alauitas who killed about 20 members of the new security forces. “
“The number of victims is very sad; Most were civilians, ”ACN sources continue, indicating that among them are“ young people, university and pharmaceutical doctors ”.
“Some families with their children were killed in cold blood,” they add. Christians were also killed, including “a father and his son of an evangelical church in Latakia, who were arrested in his car and killed, as well as the father of a priest in Banias.”
They also mention the case of the Christian town of Belma, “where there are no weapons and most residents are elderly.” In this place “the population suffered two days of terror, with their homes raped and their stolen properties.”
ACN also quotes the March 9 statement of Mons. Hanna Jallouf, Latin Apostolic Vicar of Aleppo, who said that “we join the voice of every honest and patriotic person in this country, emphasizing our rejection of all forms of violence, revenge and reprisals based on sectarian and religious motifs.”
“We call on the country’s authorities to quickly end these attacks, which are incompatible with all human, moral and religious values,” he added.
The Pontifical Foundation also recalls the homily pronounced in the Mariamite Cathedral of Damascus on March 9 by the Orthodox Patriarch Juan X Yazig, who denounced that “most victims were not affiliated with any militant group; They were innocent and unarmed civilians, including women and children. ”
“The sanctities and dignity of people have been violated, and the slogans and songs that are being used are spreading the division, promoting sectarianism and undermining civil peace,” said Orthodox Christian leader.
The patriarch also denounced that “the icon of the Virgin Mary has been destroyed, trampled and desecrated. She is the Virgin Mary, whom all Muslims honor with us, and who the Sacred Koran dedicated an entire chapter – Surah Maryam – affirming that God chose her and made her the most honest among all the women in the world. ”
David Ramos
Graduate in Communication Sciences by the Private University of the North in Trujillo, Peru. With more than 12 years of experience in Catholic journalism working in ACI Press, I am based in Mexico since 2018. I have covered the trips of Pope Francis to Ecuador, Paraguay, Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Peru and Panama.