Greek Orthodox Bishop Khoury: I have never urged Christians to take up arms

Damascus, December 13, 2013

The Metropolitan Greek Orthodox Lukas al-Koury, Auxiliary Bishop of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch, categorically denies inciting Syrian Christian youth to take up arms in the conflict that has bloodied the country, and asserts that the declarations attributed to him by the media "are false". In a note sent to Fides, Bishop al-Khoury urges everyone to be wary of those newspapers and network that spread pseudo-statements which are manipulated "in this difficult moment that the region is experiencing".

The bishop denounces the intentional dissemination of false news which are part of the same war strategies of the Syrian conflict.

A few days ago (see Fides 11/12/2013) websites and agencies around the world highlighted the statements attributed to Bishop al- Khoury by the Iraqi newspaper "az Zaman" in which, among other things, young Christians able to take the weapons were invited to "come forward". (GV)

Agenzia Fides

12/16/2013

See also
Christians fall victim to the Syrian carnage Christians fall victim to the Syrian carnage Christians fall victim to the Syrian carnage Christians fall victim to the Syrian carnage
Most of the armed conflicts in the Middle East go down to religious confrontation. Syria is a glaring example of this. Over 60 churches and monasteries destroyed in Syria Over 60 churches and monasteries destroyed in Syria Over 60 churches and monasteries destroyed in Syria Over 60 churches and monasteries destroyed in Syria
Militants in Syria have destroyed over 60 Christian churches and monasteries, and more than 70 thousand Orthodox residents of Homs, and more than a half the Christians of Aleppo have left their homes. Joint Orthodox-Catholic statement on violence against Christians in Middle East Joint Orthodox-Catholic statement on violence against Christians in Middle East Joint Orthodox-Catholic statement on violence against Christians in Middle East Joint Orthodox-Catholic statement on violence against Christians in Middle East
The North American Orthodox Catholic Theological Consultation has issued a joint statement entitled “The Plight of Churches in the Middle East – Revisited.”

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