US bishop urges 'ardent prayer,' end to sectarian violence in Syria after church bombing

(OSV News) -- A U.S. bishop is calling for "ardent prayer" and an end to sectarian violence in Syria, following a suicide bombing at a Damascus church June 22 that killed at least 25.

"Sectarian violence, of whatever religious or ideological type, if not stopped, will derail Syria's full integration into the community of nations," said Bishop A. Elias Zaidan, who heads the Maronite Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles, which is based in St. Louis.

The bishop shared his thoughts in a June 23 message, a day after a gunman opened fire and then detonated his explosive vest as some 350 attended a Sunday Divine Liturgy at St. Elias Greek Orthodox Church in the Dweil'a district of Damascus.

He made the comments as chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace. His statement was released by the USCCB.

As of June 23, the attack had left at least 25 dead, with some 63 injured.

In a statement, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch said "the treacherous hand of evil" had struck, with those killed described as "martyrs."

Photos of the church showed blood-spattered walls and mangled pews, with the altar heavily damaged.

The deadly aggression has drawn widespread domestic and international condemnation.

In addition, a number of Catholic leaders and religious freedom experts have expressed growing concern over the safety of religious minorities in Syria, where the long-running rule of the Assad family regime was toppled in December in a lightning rebel offensive. That campaign followed 13 years of civil war in which more than 600,000 were killed.

The new government has pledged to uphold the religious freedoms of all Syrians, but flashpoints continue to emerge.

In March, at least 800 were killed as Syria's security forces battled armed supporters of Syria's ousted former president Bashar Assad. The region is home to Alawite Muslims, members of the same minority sect as Assad and his regime's elite. Some 70% of Syrians are Sunni Muslims, while about 10% or less are Christian.

Previously, Maronite Archbishop Antoine Chbair of Latakia and Tartus, Syria, told the Catholic Near East Welfare Association -- an initiative of the Holy See -- that “no one knows the end” of recent deadly violence and “sectarian strife” in Syria.

Quelling that strife requires prayer and hard work from the international community, said Bishop Zaidan in his statement.

"As we learn more about the deadly suicide bombing attack in Damascus over the weekend, we are reminded of a sobering fact: international vigilance for the safeguarding of Christians, Alawites, and other religious minorities must remain strong, working with all men and women of good will in Syria for the consolidation of a political transition that promotes the common good of all Syrians," he said. "We stand in solidarity with the Antiochian Church in Syria during this difficult time."

He also urged the U.S., which had lifted sanctions against Syria to enable the country to redevelop economically, "to continue working with Syria's authorities in support of religious liberty, peace, security, and national reconciliation in the country.

"Sectarian violence, of whatever religious or ideological type, if not stopped, will derail Syria's full integration into the community of nations," warned Bishop Zaidan. "I call for ardent prayers for the safety of our Christian brothers and sisters in Syria, as well as for the country's development into a society that fosters security, development, and prosperity for all its citizens."