Call goes out to lift Syrian sanctions
After 10 years of war, in the midst of complete economic collapse, Caritas Syria, with the backing of Caritas Internationalis, is asking for an end to sanctions put in place to punish the Assad regime for chemical weapons attacks on Syrian civilians, widespread torture and human rights abuses.
Poverty hitting Syrians hard even as fighting wanes
VATICAN CITY -- Food, cooking fuel, jobs and, especially, hope are hard to come by in Syria, said two Catholic leaders reflecting on the 10th anniversary of the war.
MONTREAL – It is war as seen through the eyes of Syria’s children, drawings that depict harrowing scenes of conflict and hopeful yearnings for peace.
VATICAN CITY – As nuncio to Syria, Cardinal-designate Mario Zenari resides in Damascus. Even though the city does not come under attack as much as Aleppo, there are constant mortar attacks, and it makes him think of the nation's children.
In Syria, danger and misery are abundant, but solutions are scarce
WASHINGTON – There is only one word to describe the images coming out of Syria as the conflict advances: apocalyptic.
VATICAN CITY – In the wake of intensified attacks in Syria, Pope Francis called for an immediate cease-fire – even if temporary – so that civilians, especially children, could be rescued from the ruins.
Nun working in Aleppo says families all over city live in fear
LANCASTER, England – A religious sister working with Christian families in Aleppo, Syria, has criticized Western media for their allegedly biased coverage of the six-year conflict.
Middle East bishops demand Western aid for Christians
TORONTO – Most Western humanitarian aid is failing to reach the thousands of Christians who have fled their homes as Daesh (or Islamic State) fighters have swept through Iraq and Syria, three Middle Eastern bishops charged at the 134th Knights of Columbus convention in Toronto.
VATICAN CITY – Hundreds of Christian families are returning to Sadad, Syria, more than two years after their city was overrun by terrorists, a local official said.