A leading Catholic prelate has sounded a grave alarm over the worsening plight of Christians in Syria, declaring that the Church there is “dying” amid ongoing political upheaval, religious intolerance, and economic collapse.
Archbishop Jacques Mourad of Homs, Hama, and al-Nabek made the statement during the launch of the Religious Freedom in the World Report 2025 organized by the pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) in Rome. Speaking candidly, he described the deep fear and despair faced by Christian communities struggling to survive after years of war and persecution.
Following the fall of President Bashar al-Assad last year, Syria has been governed by a Sunni Islamist regime that promised protection for religious minorities. However, repeated attacks against non-Sunni citizens many accused of supporting the former regime have shattered that assurance.
According to ACN estimates, Syria’s Christian population has plummeted from about 2.1 million in 2011 to roughly 540,000 by 2024. “None of the efforts by the Universal Church or the local Church managed to stem the tide of the exodus,” Archbishop Mourad lamented. “The causes are rooted in the disastrous political and economic situation of the country.”
The archbishop stressed that genuine change must begin with political reform and security restoration. “You can’t stop a wave of migration without first establishing a well-defined political government model in Syria and a solid security system,” he said.
Mourad likened the nation’s decline to that of Afghanistan, warning that while Syria may not yet have reached the same level of chaos, it is “not that far off.” He described a society suffocating under pressure, repression, and fear with little sign of freedom, religious or otherwise.
During his address, the archbishop urged the international community to take a clear and principled stand on Syria’s crisis. He called for cooperation between international organizations, educational institutions, and cultural bodies to counter fear, strengthen civic education, and promote justice.
“We are becoming more and more like Afghanistan,” Mourad warned. “People are under all sorts of pressure. Don’t think we are heading toward greater freedom, religious or otherwise.”
The archbishop also cautioned against a potential peace treaty with Israel that would involve ceding the Golan Heights a move he said would deprive Damascus of vital water resources and “enslave” its people. “Who would accept a treaty such as this? Where are the human rights values that should ensure fairness for both parties?” he asked.
In a gesture of reassurance, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa recently visited the Church of the Virgin Mary in Old Damascus, promising protection for the country’s remaining Christians. Yet, for Archbishop Mourad and many others, such assurances ring hollow without lasting peace, justice, and stability.
He concluded with an appeal for solidarity and prayer, expressing hope that “raising our voices at this moment may still be beneficial to our country.”
Comment here