Syriac Catholic priest in Canada calls for international protection of Christians in Syria

TORONTO — Rev. Fadi Atallah, a Syriac Catholic priest residing in Canada, has urged the international community and human rights organizations to provide international protection for Christians in Syria, warning of an existential threat facing the community.

Amid ongoing violations targeting Christians in Syria and the broader Middle East, Rev. Atallah issued an urgent appeal, cautioning that the situation is deteriorating.

In a video posted on Facebook, he emphasized that Christians can only thrive in a nation governed by the rule of law and respect for human rights.

“We do not hate anyone, nor do we have conflicts with anyone. We are ready to live alongside all communities — that is our message as Christians,” Atallah stated. However, he lamented that many in the region do not share the same openness toward Christians.

“Some refuse to live with us because they lack the values of civilization, faith, and understanding,” he added.

Atallah further warned that attacks against Christians in Syria are ongoing, describing them as part of a slow and systematic eradication of the community.

Calling on the United Nations, the international community, and humanitarian organizations to intervene, he stressed the urgent need for protection to safeguard the Christian population.

The plight of Christians in Syria has worsened in the years following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s dictatorial regime, as they have faced increasing marginalization.

Critics argue that the Syrian Transitional Government has followed an exclusionary approach, enforcing one-party rule and further exacerbating the vulnerabilities of minority communities.