Page 18 - The Portal magazine - February 2025

THE P RTAL February 2025 Page 18

Aid to the Church in Need

Uncertain future for

Syria’s Christians

Amy Balog

ESPITE SYRIA’S Christian schools reopening – with assurances from the new authorities that
Dthere will be no restrictions on religious practice – concerns remain about the future of Christianity
in the country. Local sources who asked not to be named told Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need
(ACN) that the mood of the Christian community was subdued yet cautiously optimistic at the end of 2024.

An ACN contact said: “My message to the world is
the importance of international support for Christians
to establish a civil constitution, rather than an Islamic
Shari‘a-based constitution. If the constitution is based
on Shari‘a law, Christians will undoubtedly have to
leave the country because personal freedoms will be
restricted.”

The source added that the Christian population in
Syria is so small that they do not have enough power
to make them “capable of securing their rights in
terms of the constitution, institutional life and civil
governance. There is fear that we have moved from a
regime that silenced everyone to a regime that does
not allow others to live as they wish, with personal ACN remains in close contact with projects partners
freedoms.” They stressed that there are concerns the and Church leaders in Syria, some of whom have
country could move towards a fundamentalist Islamist met with representatives of the country’s leadership
system where religious ideology may override personal in Aleppo and Damascus. They have welcomed
freedoms. assurances from the new regime that Christianity will
have a future in the country.
Another local contact told ACN that Christians in
Aleppo have resumed their daily lives, with Masses Armenian Catholic Bishop Georges Assadourian
taking place without any problems. Some streets were of Damascus was one of the Christian representatives
also adorned with small Christmas decorations last meeting with Syrian leaders in December. A number
December. of ambassadors from overseas governments were
also present. Bishop Assadourian told ACN that
The source added that authorities have assured the the authorities reassured the Church leaders “that
public that Christian schools would be able to operate everything would be fine and that we should not
as normal and even urged the faithful to celebrate worry”.
Christmas to help improve the city’s atmosphere.
ACN is committed to providing continued support,
Other ACN contacts said that the Christian including emergency aid, medical assistance and food
community remains cautious about the future because supplies for Christian families, as well as helping with
their trust in those in positions of power was deeply pastoral activities, the rebuilding of homes and the
shaken during 13 years of conflict. installation of solar panels for Church buildings and
schools to help reduce energy costs.
The charity’s research indicates that – despite reports Amy Balog is Press Officer
of isolated incidents of religious discrimination or for Aid to the Church in Need
aggression – there have been no signs of systematic acn@acnuk.org www.acnuk.org
persecution. or call 020 8642 8668