Archbishop Nassar: the 'Calvary' of war unites the Ukrainian and Syrian people
The Archbishop of Damascus is close to those "abandoning their land" because of the offensive launched by Moscow. These scenes "invite us to think of a life" beyond death, the "Mystery of the empty tomb" to understand the value "of the Resurrection". The Syrian Church plans to build a cemetery for Christians in the capital.
Damascus (AsiaNews) - The images of Ukrainian citizens who "abandon their land" because of the offensive launched by Moscow against their country add up and in many ways resemble "those of the ordeal of the Syrian people", tormented by 12 years of war and violence, writes Msgr Samir Nassar, Maronite Archbishop of Damascus, in a message to the faithful.
The note was published ahead of this weekend's consecration of Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, announced by Pope Francis for Saturday 25 March. These dramatic scenes, continues the religious, "invite us to think of a life beyond" death, of the afterlife that is "the Mystery of the empty tomb", where we can "understand the place of the Resurrection in our Christian life".
The topicality of war, the suffering of a people hit by bombs and fleeing are at the heart of Mgr Nassar's reflection, who underlines the link between defenceless civilians in different parts of the world, but victims of the same suffering. Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, Prefect of the Congregation for Human Rights, also referred to the dramatic situation of the Ukrainian and Syrian peoples.
Leonardo Sandri, prefect of the Congregation for the EasternChurches, referred to the dramatic situation of the Ukrainian and Syrian peoples at the end of his recent visit to Damascus, where he took part in a conference promoted by the local Catholic community. "We ask the leaders of all nations," said the cardinal, "to look at the suffering of the people, here in Syria as in Ukraine".
The reflection of Card. Sandri, prepared on the occasion of the divine liturgy in the Greek-Melkite cathedral on 17 March and read by the apostolic nuncio Card. Mario Zenari for the prefect's early return, recalls the vigil for peace of 7 September 2013 called by the pontiff for Syria. As on that evening "far worse attacks were stopped" by the strength of the "prayer raised by millions of hearts", Card. Sandri said, the hope is that the consecration of Russia and Ukraine can also stop the din of weapons and restore peace to innocent peoples.
The drama of war, today in Ukraine as in the past - at least in the bloodiest phases of the conflict - it was in Syria, are a warning to make every possible effort in the direction of peace, dialogue, reconciliation as the only way to resolve disputes. The archbishop of Damascus emphasises that "12 years of war" have caused "incalculable devastation in many areas of the country" and that reconstruction is encountering new obstacles every day.
In the face of the devastation "one would expect these places" to be "rebuilt", especially houses to ensure "economic housing for young Syrians" who are also facing the drama of "unemployment". However, there is also another problem concerning the burial of the dead, the cost of which, especially the cost of transporting them back to their villages of origin, has risen to an unbearable level for the majority. Hence, the prelate emphasises, the decision to "undertake the construction of a large new cemetery, as a future project".
In the last three years," he explains, "the price of petrol has risen out of all proportion" and travelling back to the country of origin hundreds of kilometres away "costs more than the price of a coffin". For those who work and live in the city, it has become "easier to bury" their loved ones in Damascus "even if far from their deceased relatives", Mgr Nassar concludes, although this separation is often the cause of "immense pain".
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26/01/2022 09:40
