The Catholic Center for Studies and Media (CCSM) has strongly condemned the cowardly terrorist attack that targeted St. Elias Church--affiliated with the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East--in the Dweila area of ​​the Syrian capital, Damascus, which caused the martyrdom of dozens of people during Sunday Mass. 

The statement, issued by CCSM Director Fr. Dr. Rif’at Bader, states that at a time when the sister Syrian Arab Republic takes its first steps toward peace and stability, it is in dire need to have all its components united under the umbrella of good citizenship in order to rebuild what has been destroyed, and more importantly to restore the original and authentic image of human dignity which has been violated over the past years which witnessed bitter war.

 The CCSM statement stresses that this situation makes it imperative to have the civil authorities confront with determination and resolve all forms of terrorism, fanaticism, extremism, and incitement against any component of society. In this context, the CCSM recalls what His Holiness Pope Leo XIV has emphasized during his meeting with parliamentarians and representatives of political authorities a few days ago when he said,” Political life can achieve much by encouraging the conditions for there to be authentic religious freedom and that a respectful and constructive encounter between different religious communities may develop."

The CCSM highly values Jordan's official denunciation of this terrorist incident, as well as the positions adopted by all Arab, international, and ecclesiastical, in addition to all people of good will who condemned this terrorist act and affirmed full support for and solidarity with the sister Syrian Arab Republic, in addition to enhancing its efforts to combat abhorrent terrorism and to preserve its security, stability, and the harmony of its citizens, who have always been characterized by their great respect for religious rites, despite the recent political differences.

Concluding that statement, the CCSM conveys its sincere condolences to His Beatitude Patriarch John X and to all members of the Antiochian Orthodox Church, including  the clergy and faithful, with hopes that God might grant comfort and patience to the bereaved and grieving families, as well as heal the injured. The CCSM hopes that through the intercession of the new martyrs of Damascus, the pure blood of the martyrs will give courage, strength, and determination to all Syrians so as to proceed with firm and confident steps toward a secure, prosperous, and inclusive future for all components of “wounded and beloved” Syria, according to the late Pope Francis.