Council of Heads of Catholic Churches holds meeting in Daramsuq, Syria

DARAMUSQ — On Thursday, in the presence of a number of patriarchs, the Council of Heads of Catholic Churches in Syria held a meeting that included an ecumenical session at the headquarters of the Maronite Diocese of Daramusq (Damascus) in the Bab Toma neighborhood.

The meeting was attended by Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and all the East Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Syriac Melkite Patriarch of Antioch and all the East, Alexandria and Jerusalem for the Greek Catholic Church Youssef al-Absi, Syriac Catholic Patriarch Mor Ignatius Joseph III Younan, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and all the East John X Yazigi, as well as Apostolic Nuncio to Syria Mario Zenari.

They stressed the importance of unity and joint action among all Churches to support the faithful in light of the difficult circumstances facing Christians in the East.

During the meeting, the patriarchs discussed ecclesiastical affairs and preparation for the Romanian Synod of Bishops which will be held in Rome next year, under the title, “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission”.

The patriarchs expressed their pleasure at meeting together, Catholics and Orthodox, which gives the believers a glimmer of hope that the servants of the Church gather and take care of the affairs of the Christian people. They pointed to the importance and necessity of carrying out joint actions that bring together all Churches to support believers and assist them in these difficult days.