MENA

Bishops' Conference President welcomes statement on Syria from the Council of Oriental Orthodox Churches

12/11/2013 5:21 pm

Archbishop Vincent Nichols has welcomed a statement on Syria released by Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian, President of the Council of Oriental Orthodox Churches (COOC) in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Bishop Hovhanessian, also Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Orthodox Church in the UK and Ireland, speaks out about "the atrocities being committed against innocent men, women and children in Syria."

You can download a full PDF of the Council of Oriental Orthodox Churches statement below or using the link in the top right-hand corner of this article.

Bishop Hovhanessian also stresses that the Orthodox Churches believe that followers of the Abrahamic traditions stand in unity against violence:

"We at the Council of Oriental Orthodox Churches remain convinced that a majority of Muslims and Christians condemn such violence. Like us, they too believe that such acts are contrary to the genuine values, teachings and traditions of the followers of all three Abrahamic traditions in the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region."

Archbishop Nichols, President of the Bishops' Conference, has joined his prayers with those of the Council of Oriental Orthodox Churches:

"I share the prayers and concerns of the COOC on the war in Syria. We think of all those millions of men, women and children who are internally displaced, of the refugees facing the harshness of winter and of those small communities - including Christians of various denominations - that are often swept into the crisis.

"I stand in solidarity with the President and Members of the COOC and pray with them for the safety of Syria where all its citizens will discover their dignity, security and prosperity."