Syria's Christians Praised For Unity In Diversity

DAMASCUS, May 7, 01 (CWNews.com) - At a meeting on Saturday evening with the Catholic bishops of Syria, Pope John Paul II emphasized the healthy diversity among the Catholics of the region, and the importance of preserving essential unity within the Church.

Remarking on the fact that the Catholics of Syria belong to many different liturgical and theological traditions-Melkite, Maronite, Armenian, and Syrian as well as Latin-the Pope said that the self-governing Eastern Catholic churches offer an important witness of the universal Church.

The Pope also praised the Syrian Christian community for offering an example of "true understanding among the patriarchs, bishops, and leaders of the different churches and ecclesial communities." That example, he said, is a particularly powerful testimony to the Muslim majority of the land, showing that Christians love one another.

The single cautionary note of the Pope's address to the bishops was his stress on the problem of emigration. He urged Christian leaders to work for the construction of a more vigorous society, so that young people would not be tempted to leave Syria for better opportunities elsewhere.

Catholic World News Service - Vatican Update
7. mai 2001