Aleppo parish priest on psychological and material devastation from earthquake and economic crisis

In a letter, Franciscan Fr Bahjat Karakach speaks of an extremely difficult situation. There is a "prevailing atmosphere" of "frustration" and a "disturbing grip" of fear. Ensuring basic needs an 'insurmountable test'. Church assistance and community joy for the new vicar. Turkish air raids in the Kurdish-Syrian area.

Aleppo (AsiaNews) - People continue to live in "extremely difficult" circumstances, due to the "consequences" of the earthquake of 6 February which "still persist, affecting people of all ages" on both a "psychological" and "material" level, says Fr. Bahjat Karakach, parish priest of the church of Saint Francis of Assisi in Aleppo.

In a dramatic appeal for support sent to AsiaNews the pastor of the community in the city that once was the economic and comercial heart of Syria talks about a "prevailing atmosphere" that is marked "by frustration" and the "disturbing grip of fear", in a general framework characterized by conflict and international sanctions that have detonated a "poverty bomb".

The Arab country is being subjected to series of attacks by the Turkish air force, which concentrates operations in the area to the north and north-east where the Kurdish minority is based.

The escalation is linked to last weekend's attack in Ankara at the hands of the PKK and launched by two attackers who, according to Turkish intelligence, were trained in Syria.

At the same time, at least five civilian victims were recorded in military operations carried out by the Syrian army in the north-western province of Idlib, the last stronghold controlled by rebel militias and jihadists.

The parish priest and delegate of the Custody for Syria reports that "guaranteeing the basic needs" of daily life has become an "almost insurmountable" test exacerbated by the "heartbreaking wave of inflation" underway since August 15th.

In Aleppo there have been increases in the prices of "essential goods" such as food, medicines and supplies for newborns and the elderly, including diapers by up to 80-90% while fuel prices "have skyrocketed by an alarming 130%".

“These difficulties aggravate  the continuous struggles caused by frequent power outages and the suffocating and relentless heat, further exacerbating our suffering,” he notes.

Recently the Damascus government increased the public workers' wages, but the measure has proven to be ineffective and insufficient because the purchasing power of the local currency has collapsed.

Added to this are the exorbitant costs of transport, psychological stress, anxiety and family disagreements. In critical situations the Church gathers around the faithful like a "very united family" trying to strengthen its commitment to support and assistance.

“Once - says the parish priest of Aleppo - I was told that we resemble the eight musicians of the Titanic who, in the midst of the looming disaster, continued to play. Likewise, we persist in our efforts, believing that our actions can be a lifeline for our families amid the prevailing darkness. We have faith in the miraculous work" of Christ, made possible by the help and love that come from Christians in the world, which is a sign of "unshakable love" and "constant support and assistance" that allows us to "persevere in the mission of serve our brothers with joy and love”.

In addition to thanking benefactors and supporters who have long contributed with goods and money to the life of the Christian community of Aleppo, which Fr. Karakach defines it as a "profound expression of love", he underlines the joy and celebration for the new apostolic vicar after a wait of over a year.

“Despite the pain and difficulties we are experiencing” the episcopal ordination of Fr. is a source of great “joy”. Hanna Jallouf, a Franciscan friar: a religious from the village of Al-Qnayeh (Idlib province), a "generous land that has given more than 15 vocations" among friars and nuns. His presence, concludes the parish priest of Aleppo, his "perseverance and dedication" proved fundamental to "strengthen the Church in northern Syria" during the "war" years.

THE PIME FOUNDATION HAS OPENED A FUNDRAISER IN SUPPORT OF THE INITIATIVES OF THE APOSTOLIC VICARIATE OF ANATOLIA AND THE CUSTODY OF THE HOLY LAND FOR THE VICTIMS OF THE EARTHQUAKE. CLICK HERE TO CONTRIBUTE (IN ITALIAN).