After more than a decade of war and sanctions, Syria remains a land scarred by loss, displacement, and deep political uncertainty. For the country’s Christians, once an integral part of Syria’s social and cultural fabric, the past years have been marked by marginalization and a growing sense of exile within their own homeland. As a result, CNEWA is reminded of its duty to speak for those whose voices are too often silenced: the Christians of the Middle East who continue to suffer amid political chaos and sectarian strife.
Across the country, the atmosphere is one of fear and sectarian fragmentation. In areas like Sweida and northern Syria, massacres and displacement have devastated entire villages, including Christian communities. Dozens of churches have been burned or abandoned, and many families live with the constant threat of arrest, torture, or abduction. Even church leaders who dare to speak out face pressure to publicly align with the regime. The Patriarch of the Greek Orthodox Church, for example, was compelled to show loyalty to government authorities shortly after lamenting the loss of worshipers in a church bombing.
A Fading Presence
Once vibrant centres of faith, education, and social life, Syria’s Christian institutions are fading. Catholic schools were nationalized decades ago, and today the Church struggles to maintain its humanitarian and social role. Yet amid this bleakness, hope persists in small but powerful ways. Various partners in Aleppo continue to run dialogue sessions, interreligious meetings, and social programs that bring Christians and Muslims together to promote reconciliation and civic awareness. The Church remains one of the few institutions trusted by all Syrians, offering humanitarian aid and a moral compass in the absence of functioning governance.
Standing With the Forgotten
For CNEWA and the Pontifical Mission, the mission in Syria as across the Middle East is rooted in solidarity. Since 1949, we have worked to strengthen the local Church so that it may stand as a sign of hope in the darkest times. The generosity of Canadians and others around the world continues to make this possible. The Christians of Syria may be few, but their witness is powerful. They remind us that faith endures even in the face of suffering and that every act of compassion helps sustain a people determined not to disappear.