Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops of Syria meet with Prefect of Dicastery for Eastern Churches in Vatican, stress Christian unity during political transition

HMOTH, Syria — The Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops of Syria convened in Hmoth (Homs) with Prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches in the Vatican Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti. The meeting highlighted the importance of a unified Christian message during Syria’s transitional phase.

Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti met with the Council at the Syriac Catholic Archdiocese of Hmoth as part of his pastoral visit to Catholic Churches in Syria. The meeting, held on Tuesday morning, focused on fostering unity among Christian communities amid the ongoing challenges faced by Syrians.

Prominent attendees included Syriac Catholic Patriarch Ignatius Joseph III Younan, Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarch Youssef al-Absi, Apostolic Nuncio to Syria Cardinal Mario Zenari, and Secretary-General of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches Archbishop Michel Jalakh. Other bishops, clergy, and representatives from Catholic dioceses in Hmoth were also present.

Patriarch Younan, speaking on behalf of the Council, emphasized the necessity of presenting a unified Christian discourse. “Those who do not share our faith, whether here in Syria or in Iraq, see us as Christians, not as separate sects,” he remarked. “We must learn to witness this unity and overcome divisions. There is no majority or minority among us; we all share in the suffering of desolation and displacement, particularly our young people.”

Patriarch Younan concluded with a heartfelt appeal for unity. “Our hope is to genuinely live this unity. Last week, we raised prayers for Christian unity. Now, we must act as witnesses to the truth in love, united with one heart and one voice.”