Warm Welcome For Pope In Syria

DAMASCUS, May 7, 01 (CWNews.com) - The greeting that Pope John Paul II received when he arrived in Syria on Saturday, May 5 was remarkable in two respects: for the warmth of the greeting (especially in contrast with the cool reception the Pope faced in Greece) and the political tone of the occasion.

Syria's President Bachar el Assad greeted the Pontiff's plane, along with a group of Catholic, Orthodox, and Muslim religious leaders. The three Christian patriarchs of Antioch were all in attendance: Patriarchs Ignace IV Hakim of the Greek Orthodox Church, Ignace Zacca I Ivas of the Syrian Orthodox Church, and Gregory III Laham of the Melkite Catholic Church.

President Assad offered a hearty welcome to the visiting Pontiff, but surprised Vatican organizers of the papal trip by launching into a virulent condemnation of Israel. Assad charged that the Israeli government violates the principles of equality "when they say that God created one people superior to all others." Charging that Israeli is governed by a racist regime, he said, "they kill the principles of heavenly religions, with the same mentality with where they tortured Christ." Assad concluded by inviting the Pope to join him in battle "against the oppressors."

In his response, Pope John Paul-who read from a prepared text-was much more guarded. He did say that "it is time to return to the principles of international law," stipulating that this would include an end to Israeli occupation of disputed territories. The Holy Father argued that Jews, Christians, and Muslims-"the faithful of the three religions tied to Abraham"-should seek "a new attitude of understanding and respect among the peoples of this region." After the airport welcoming ceremony, the papal motorcade traveled to Damascus, where John Paul participated in an ecumenical service at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Dormition. Again, the three patriarchs of Antioch all were present for the occasion.

Speaking in French, the Pope noted that the Council of Nicea had recognized Antioch as the primatial see of the region. He voiced regrets that the patriarchate had later been splintered by divisions within the Christian community. And he spoke with hope about the "ecumenical rapprochement" that has been particularly noteworthy in the close ties between the Greek Orthodox and Melkite Catholic patriarchates of Antioch.

Conceding that ecumenical progress becomes more difficult as it advances, the Pontiff said, "Let us beg the Holy Spirit to help us grown in holiness, because there is no permanent unity that is not built upon humility, conversion, and pardon."

Catholic World News Service - Vatican Update
7. mai 2001