A bell of
warning was tolled that the Middle Eastern Christians are
now only about 7 percent of the total population of the
region. The majority lives in Egypt and Lebanon while some
live in Iraq, Syria, Turkey, Iran, Israel, Jordan and
Palestinian territories. In almost all places in the Middle
East they are minorities.
Most of the
Middle Eastern Churches have dioceses or sister churches in
the United States and throughout the world. In this
connection, the participants expressed the opinion that the
religions of the Middle East are not only Judaism and
Islam. For that reason, participants pointed out that
there is a great need to inform the American public that
Middle Eastern Christians continue to exist as one of the
important religious communities of that region, that despite
their sufferings, the Holy Spirit helps them survive and
witness to Christ. Participants appealed to all to support
the continuing presence of Christians in the region and
their efforts to live and prosper in peace.
Christians
have made and continue to make important contributions to
the development of Middle Eastern culture; they promote a
significant spiritual climate through monasticism, they
provide through schools and universities a good education,
they care for the sick through hospitals and clinics and
they render generous service to the poor, Christians and non
Christians alike, and in the 20th Century, they promoted the
movement of Christian Unity, which became a sign of hope for
the unity of all peoples and nations.
At one point,
the participants addressed the present politico-religious
challenges making many Middle East Christians leave the
Middle East because they are losing hope in the future.
Nonetheless, it was recognized that the Christians want to
continue to live in their motherland and witness to the
region where Jesus was born and where Christianity has been
rooted for the last 2000 years. To be able to promote love
and peace between all peoples, they want to find with Jews
and Muslims a formula that is neither secular, nor
ethnocentric, nor theocratic, but respects religion and
guarantees plurality, equality and freedom.
Middle East
Christians are increasingly focusing on inter-religious
collaboration in promoting dialogue instead of conflict and
in finding with others, the proper solution to the present
ideological and spiritual crises in their region. Their hope
is also to promote peace in order to secure common living
between all human beings who have been created in "the
image and likeness of God" (Genesis 1:27).
At the end of
the Symposium, the panelists agreed that all efforts in the
United States as well as abroad should focus on four areas
of support of the Christians of the Middle East:
Developmental
Aid: US
officials, organizations and individuals should financially
support Christian institutions, churches, and monasteries.
They should invest in the Middle East to create jobs that
will keep young people from emigrating overseas.
Expatriates should do more to assist their relatives and
fellow Christians in their countries of origin.
Media
Backing: US Christians are reminded that spreading the
Good News is the sacred mission of every Christian. By
supporting Noursat, they support the efforts to share the
light of Christ in the Middle East. Active
collaboration in establishing "Media City" in
Lebanon with its three satellite stations, its different
offices representing all the Churches of the region, and its
extensive archives and media resources will help enhance the
attachment of Christians of all nationalities to their
homeland.
Political
Help: By
petitioning their representatives and officials, Americans
can play an active role in influencing their government's
positions in defense of minority rights in the Middle East
as well as their human rights.
Spiritual
Assistance: Christians
of the world are encouraged to offer prayer and sacrifice to
alleviate the sufferings and hardship their brothers and
sisters endure in the Middle East. They should come to a
greater appreciation of the fact that Christianity, which
began in the Middle East, continues to exist there. A day of
prayer for the Christians in the Middle East, perhaps on the
Visitation Feast Day (March 25th), may be chosen. Likewise,
organizing pilgrimages to the land where Jesus was born will
definitely bring together the two wings of Christianity,
East and West. Ultimately, Christians must realize that the
Bible is not only the printed book but also the way
this book is being lived in this world.
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