Rumours of appointment as governor fake news, says Vicar of Aleppo

In a message on social media, Monsignor Jallouf denied the ‘news’ that had been spread online that Hts had entrusted him with the leadership of the city. The prelate speaks of ‘lies’ and ‘shame’, reiterating that ‘meddling in politics is not the Church's mission’. To AsiaNews, the parish priest speaks of a ‘disoriented and confused’ community that must be ‘encouraged’. Rebels at the gates of Homs.

Aleppo (AsiaNews) - Some social pages, particularly on Facebook, ‘are circulating the news of my appointment as governor of Aleppo: this is a lie, it is not true and it is a disgrace for the good’ of the Church itself and of society.

With a message relaunched on his own page, Monsignor Hanna Jallouf, Franciscan, apostolic vicar of Aleppo since July 2023, categorically denies the rumours circulating in recent hours of his appointment as governor of the city.

‘We [as ecclesiastical leaders and men of faith] do not meddle in politics,’ continues the message from the prelate, who, having lived in Idlib, boasts relations and relationships with movements that aim to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad, ’because this is not our mission.

Since yesterday afternoon, in fact, some rumours - which, however, lack any confirmation, but which have found, as often happens, space and sharing on the web - spoke of an appointment of the prelate as governor of Aleppo by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (Hts) and other opposition groups.

It is fake news, the origin of which remains uncertain, but which could be traced back to the rebel movements' attempt to show a tone of dialogue and openness towards minorities, different from the massacres perpetrated by the Islamic State (IS, formerly Isis) or by al-Qaeda in the past between Syria and Iraq, just to give a few examples.

The vicar of Aleppo continued his message by urging people not to use social media to spread false news or news that could fuel confusion, discontent, or exacerbate an already warlike and violent situation even more. Rumours, the prelate concludes, that could also be artfully spread to strike at him: ‘Lying,’ he says, ‘is the key to burning a person. But we, I repeat, do not get involved in politics'.

These rumours certainly do not help to reassure the climate of a Christian community in Aleppo that appears ‘disoriented and confused’ by the sudden and unexpected climate of war it has found itself experiencing, as Fr Bahjat Karakach tells AsiaNews in a message. The parish priest of the Church of St Francis of Assisi emphasises the need to be ‘calmed and encouraged’ that concerns not only Christians, but a large part of the population.

However, he adds that ‘the answers to the questions that torment you will not come by staying indoors, but by going out into the field to do good’. A warning issued at a meeting with the youth of the community, attended by over 400 boys and girls, a number that ‘surprised’ even the priest but that reveals their need to be ‘encouraged and supported’.

To instil confidence, to look to the future even in a time of profound uncertainty is the ‘most important message’ that the Church seeks to convey, especially ‘to young people, who ask themselves a thousand questions’, explains the priest born and living in Aleppo.

During the meeting, Fr Bahjat concludes, ‘we insisted on the fact that we must not let ourselves be overcome by the fear that paralyses us, but rather roll up our sleeves and do something for our city, promoting initiatives in the streets for the benefit of all’ without distinction of faith or ethnicity.

Finally, on the conflict front, after having conquered Aleppo and Hama, the rebels are now aiming at Homs, a city north of Damascus. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based NGO with a network of informants on the ground, reports that they are 5km from the city and advancing rapidly.

At the same time, Syrian fighter jets are reportedly targeting the al Rastan bridge that connects the city of Hama to Homs, in a (vain) attempt to protect it from the advancing anti-Assad front.

The Turkish Anadolu Agency, in fact, reports that the insurgents have already taken the Rastan district in the province of Homs, where there are reportedly thousands of fleeing civilians, but the ultimate goal remains Damascus and ‘the overthrow of the Assad regime’.