The Maronite Archbishop of Aleppo says Christians must play a role in building an inclusive and democratic society as Syria faces an uncertain transition. Source: Vatican News.
As the country begins a political transition following the fall of Bashar al-Assad, hopes for peace are tempered by ongoing violence and instability.
Archbishop Joseph Tobjie highlighted hope and the need for caution as the nation navigates this uncertain period.
“From a security perspective, things are relatively calm here in Aleppo,” he said. “However, isolated acts of violence persist, and in Damascus, the situation appears far worse.
“Sadly, weapons remain widespread, even among children. Seeing a child carry a rifle is something no one should ever witness.”
The archbishop emphasised the necessity of stabilising Syria, both politically and socially.
He acknowledged the role of various rebel groups, including Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), in Assad’s fall but expressed cautious optimism about their intentions.
“The HTS group has made promises to respect all communities, including minorities, and so far, their actions are aligned with their words,” Archbishop Tobjie explained.
“They treat us Christians with respect, and there is no form of persecution at present.”
Although HTS is rooted in Islamist ideology, he noted that the group is not fanatical, and is not imposing Islamic law.
While recognising these positive signs, the archbishop remained cautious: “I cannot be too optimistic nor too pessimistic. We must walk prudently, observing how the situation evolves daily.”
He also pointed to the promises made by Syria’s interim Prime Minister, Mohammed Al-Bashir, who pledged to protect minorities, women, and children, and to restore justice across the nation.
“The world is watching Syria now,” he said. “These promises cannot just be propaganda. Without tangible progress, Syria will struggle to gain international recognition.”
Archbishop Tobjie urged Syrian Christians to take an active role in shaping the country’s future: “We Christians cannot stand by as spectators.”
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Aleppo’s Maronite Archbishop on Christians’ role in shaping a new Syria (By Cecilia Seppia and Linda Bordoni, Vatican News)
