We will not leave

Our friars in Syria

As we are still reeling from the terrible events of Yemen yesterday ... we here in the Holyland had to also make up our minds regarding our presence in the Middle East especially in Syria. Already one of our friars Fr Dhiya was kidnapped twice within a year by jihadists in Syria and another beheaded. Our 4 village parishes are reduced to a few hundred mainly elderly catholics who have no means nor strength to escape. It is difficult for new friars to enter these areas to assist the resident friars who are exhausted psychologically, emotionally and spiritually by the constant dangers, lack of electricity, water, medication and food. It is not fair to demand that these friars remain in these areas.

Aiding syrian children

So our Custos sent an email asking all of us to reflect if we should continue to remain serving in these danger zones. The answer from all of us was practically unanimous: WE WILL NOT LEAVE OUR PEOPLE ALONE. We will stay. We will not abandon the old, sick and helpless to the hands of ruthless muslim extremists. Some of us even volunteered to enter Syria. It is not and will not be an easy mission but we will persevere. And like Mother Teresa's sisters in Yemen, some of us will have to die for this commitment.

I am proud to be a Holy Land franciscan.