Is the Christian presence in the Middle East on the edge of a precipice?

Amidst the successive and dramatic developments taking place in the Middle East, so many questions are raised with extreme concern and worry about the future that awaits the Christians of the Middle East. Press reports indicate that the Christian presence has been repeatedly dwindling to worrying levels with fears that the churches would one day be bereft of the living stones, or rather the faithful who raise their hands in supplication seeking the Almighty Lord's mercy and protection.

The accelerated and orchestrated emigration of Christians from the Middle East countries stands as a challenge that blocks the development of these countries and represents a scandal to world leaders who stand idly by watching a region sinking into an era of heinous failure to protect peoples branded as "minorities".

Christians of the Middle East have never been a minority, while considering the fact that they are the indigenous people of the Middle East region. They constitute the majority of the population simply because their achievements in every walk of life has been thaumaturgic, while outstripping all expectations. Over the years, they have exerted strenuous efforts to eliminate the bleak darkness of illiteracy and backwardness that engulfed the region with their enlightened activities, particularly in the field of education at various levels including higher education, as well as in other fields relevant to advanced medical services, and charitable activities among others.

It is of prime importance to set off alarm bells regarding the situation of the Christian communities in the Middle East, as an overview of their situation indicates that their situation is deteriorating rapidly due to the fact that the recurring state of wars and violence has led to a decrease in pilgrims arriving in the Holy Land which created financial difficulties leading to an adverse effect on their livelihood.

Migration of Christians from the Middle East is quite saddening since their invaluable contribution to sustainable progress has gone unnoticed.  They have been making wide-ranging contributions to building civil societies, new start-ups, excellence in education and in health and other humanitarian sectors. Their absence will create a vacuum that will never be replaced which dips the region into a state of hopelessness. The roles they play are globally and diplomatically significant because of its position at the heart of the region, affecting the economic, social and civic values for the region.

Under such circumstance, it is of prime importance to revert to a very important issue namely Christian unity. Forging Christian unity under such hard circumstances would guarantee a promising future for Christians of the Middle East who have often been the victims of violence and marginalization within their own countries. 

In the wake of terrorist attack that rocked St. Elijah Greek Orthodox Church in Damascus on Sunday, June 21, 2025 that claimed the life of dozens of people and wounding other, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV released a telegram to express his deep condolences for those who lost loved ones in the suicide bombing at St. Elias parish in Damascus, Syria, and expressed his wholehearted solidarity with everyone impacted by the tragedy.

On the other hand, Bishop Hanna Jallouf, the apostolic vicar of Aleppo and head of the Latin Church in Syria, said, “If before the terrorist attack only 20 per cent of the population thought of leaving the country, now the percentage has risen to 90 per cent. People are increasingly afraid.”

Consequently, does this terrorist attack and similar ones relevant to persecution serve as a catalyst that motivates Christians to migrate? This endeavor will never bear fruit as it will ultimately boomerang leading to adverse outcomes. Christians are the salt of the Earth. Lord Jesus Christ said,  “You are the salt of the Earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. (Matthew 5:13-16)

May the “salt of  the Earth” be preserved so that people who  promote the concept of common living may work hand-in-hand for the progress and prosperity of the Middle East and the entire world.