As the government intensifies its strikes in Homs, Syria, some priests are remaining behind.
Vatican Nuncio, Archbishop Mario Zenari said in an email to CNS that the only certain thing about their safety is its uncertainty.
Zenari is in almost daily contact with the priests in Homs.
“The decision to remain is theirs,” Archbishop Zenari said. “This morning a priest told me that it was impossible to leave the city. Various Catholic families have left the city of Homs in recent days.
“In situations where their own lives and those of their family members are at risk, as is now the case in Homs, the choice to remain or depart must be left to each individual,” he added.
The archbishop also advised Christians throughout much of the rest of Syria to remain in the country “except for situations in which one’s own life and those of one’s family members are in danger.”
Archbishop Zenari said the Vatican has no plans to close its operations in Damascus, the Syrian capital.
“Within the region, Syria is a model of religious tolerance, above all with respect to relations between Christians and Muslims,” he said. “Till now, Christians in Syria have enjoyed great respect from every side in the conflict.”
Sources
- CNS
- Image: Left Foot Forward