Melkite Synod calls for aid to Iraqi Christians

(EWTN) - At the conclusion of its recent synod of bishops, the Melkite Greek Catholic Church launched a global appeal for aid to the Christians of Iraq.

The appeal was made under the leadership of Patriarch Gregorios III, during the bishops' gathering from June 21 - 26 in Lebanon. The Melkite Patriarch provided exclusive commentary to EWTN News on the needs of the Christian community within Iraq and the Middle East.

At the conclusion of the synod, the Eastern Catholic bishops expressed hope that an increase in charitable aid will bring relief and protection both to the country's 600,000 remaining Christians, and to another approximately 640,000 Iraqi Christian refugees now living in Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, and throughout the Arab world.

In a letter to EWTN News on July 9, Patriarch Gregorios III explained some of the basic needs with which the Melkite Catholic Patriarchate, located in Syria, has been assisting Iraqi Christians during the past several years.

These needs include church buildings for dislocated congregations, facilities for religious instruction of children and adults, and schools in which Iraqi Christian children can be taught in their native Chaldean and Assyrian languages.

Melkite Catholics have also worked as liaisons between Iraqi Christians and non-governmental aid agencies such as Caritas International.

In March of this year, Patriarch Gregorios III described the Iraqi peoples' suffering in an open letter. He spoke of the “violence, fanaticism, terrorism” and “persecution” which the country's citizens in general, and “the few Christians especially,” have suffered since 2003, particularly during the past three years.

The Patriarch's open letter from March recounts in detail how these conditions have driven about half of the country's Christians into neighboring Arab states as refugees. Many who remain, according to the Patriarch, live under the threat of violence or expulsion.

Patriarch Gregorios III's comments to EWTN News this week stressed that anyone in the United States who is interested in providing financial aid both to those Christians still in Iraq, and to those who have sought refuge elsewhere, should contact the Melkite Greek Catholic Eparchy of Newton in Massachusetts.

For more information, visit: http://www.melkite.org