The Apostolic Vicar of Aleppo relaunches the proposal made by the “Mussalaha” movement: interreligious coordination in order to foster peace in the midst of the dramatic situation the country is facing

Luca Rolandi
Rome The Syrian army has resumed bombing certain neighbourhoods in the Syrian capital Damascus, while rebel militias have taken over the central Syrian town of Talbissé: the news was communicated by sources of Syrian organisations for the defence of human rights. The country is mired in a civil war and international diplomacy has still not done all that it could to help put an end to the spiral of violence which has evolved into an open conflict. The church and Christian communities which are organising a non-violent resistance movement for national reconciliation are not just sitting by and watching.

“I believe that the initiative Mussalaha should be encouraged and supported by all. Reconciliation, although it is sometimes hard to accept, is a way not to be left out and should not be underestimated,” Monsignor Giuseppe Nazzaro, OFM, Apostolic Vicar of Aleppo told Fides news agency, communicating the institutional support of the Church in Syria for the popular interreligious Mussalaha (reconciliation) initiative which is emerging as a “third way” in the Syrian scenario. in an attempt to help quell the ongoing conflict, it focuses on "internal dialogue" among different political, social and religious components of the Syrian population.

The Mussalaha (reconciliation) movement was born spontaneously from Syrian civil society and is gaining the trust of all the fighting parties, of families, clans, communities, government sectors and the armed opposition.

Last week the Syrian forum of families also expressed its support for the interreligious movement Mussalaha which is trying to show that it is possible to end the conflict by rejecting war and arms and resuming the path of diplomacy and dialogue among civil societies.

The forum’s founder, Salman Al Assaf Binari, who brings together influential figures in Syrian society, clans and various communities, united by the founding principles and the value of the family, emphasised the urgent need for “reconciliation, fraternity, loyalty and belonging.” He also expressed his support for efforts towards reconciliation, dialogue and an era of reform.

Khalil Noè, President of the forum’s executive committee, said that the Mussalaha “shows a series of important clues on the health of Syrian society: firstly, the unity of the Syrian people, who constitute one family; then the common commitment against sectarianism and violence; and the awareness and willingness to sit around the negotiating table. These are the factors to get out of the crisis."

In a statement to Fides Agency S.B. Greek Melkite Patriarch Gregory III Laham said "efforts for dialogue and reconciliation are necessary." "The Syrians, thanks to their long history, can solve this dangerous crisis helping each other, through love and forgiveness. We launch an urgent appeal for dialogue, reconciliation, peace: this is one of the rarest languages that many people do not want to hear. We Christians, to whom the gospel of peace has been entrusted, feel called to promote it."

In terms of the attitude adopted by the Churches, Gregory III Laham stated: "the Catholic Churches of all denominations, in Syria have raised their voices, demanding reforms, freedom, democracy, fight corruption, support for development, freedom of speech. Today we ask to stop the cycle of killings and destruction, especially against civilians in need, of all faiths, who in reality are the real victims. The Church has always shunned sectarianism, without taking sides, and pointing to the ethical and evangelical values." For this reason, he notes, a "campaign against the pastors of the Churches in Syria" is to be rejected, accused of collusion with the regime.

The Patriarch finally expressed "hope in civil society initiatives to strengthen the friendly ties between the Syrians that the conflict has destroyed. We pray for the success of the movement Mussalaha, where delegates are active in all the Churches, to bring unity and love in the hearts of all. This is what lays the foundation for effective solutions to the tragic conflict."
In this work, he concludes, "we need the support of the Pope and we hope that the forthcoming visit of the Pope in Lebanon will be of special help for Syria, so that the conflict may cease and the country may flourish.”

© vaticaninsider.lastampa.it - 17 luglio 2012