Greek-Orthodox and Roman Catholic Community Trapped in
Small Syrian Village
Franciscan Friar Fr. François Kouseiffi Explains Plight
of Refugees
Close to 1,000 Christians, both Greek-Orthodox and Roman
Catholic, are trapped in the small village of Yaakoubieh, located in the north
of Aleppo. In a report by Fides News Agency, refugees are completely worn out
and lack basic necessities, such as food and electricity while dealing with
heavy fighting between loyalist forces and opposition groups.
They are unable to leave the village and are in terrible
condition, where they risk extinction, said Fr. François Kouseiffi OFM, a
Franciscan friar and pastor of the church of San Francesco in Hamra (Beirut) to
Fides. Fr. Kouseiffi deals with the care and assistance of about 500 Syrian
refugees.
The refugees have reported to Fr. Kouseiffi the plight of
the village of Yaakoubieh, and where many of their relatives are. Before the
war there were about 3,000 Christians in the village between Armenians,
Orthodox and Catholics, and now almost all have fled. In the village there are
Franciscan nuns who, says the friar, share the fate of civilians.
The situation is very serious. The faithful are trapped.
We are trying in every way to help them to come to Lebanon. In past days, some
of our emissaries left to go there, but the journey is dangerous and, after
more than a day's journey by land, they reached Aleppo. The contacts with the
remaining Christians are sporadic. They launched the alarm for their survival.
They risk of dying in the general silence, Fr. Kouseiffi said.
The Syrian Christians are paying the price of the
destabilization of the country and suffer like other Syrian citizens but, like
other minorities, they are the most vulnerable groups. Out of the approximately
four million Syrian refugees, the Syrian Christians are about 500 thousand, 25
thousand of which are in Lebanon. In past days, recalls Fr. Kouseiffi, the wave
of frost has made their condition even more difficult: we are in the middle of
a humanitarian emergency. They talk about their drama, their hopes, and dreams
of a better future for their country.
===========================================
ZE13011002
2013-01-10
===================================================
This article is from the ZENIT news agency.
If you are interested in receiving news from ZENIT, you
can subscribe for FREE at this link http://www.zenit.org/spanish/subscribe.html
ZENIT is an international news agency.
Visit us at:
No comments:
Post a Comment