In a minute, the World Council of Churches (WCC) central committee expressed how appalled it was by the news of a suicide bomb attack on the Mar Elias Greek Orthodox Church in the Dweila neighbourhood of Syria’s capital Damascus on 22 June.
“It is reported that about 25 people have been killed and 68 seriously injured in the attack by militants linked to the so-called ‘Islamic State’ extremist group,” reads the minute. “It is the first suicide bombing inside Damascus since the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, and represents a renewed threat to the safety and security of the Christian churches and communities of Syria in the post-Assad context.”
The WCC governing body conveyed its deep condolences to all the bereaved and injured, and prayed for their recovery and safety. “We express our Christian solidarity to His Beatitude John X, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch, Damascus,” reads the minute. “We, on behalf of the worldwide ecumenical fellowship of the WCC, stand in Christian solidarity with the members of his church, and with all churches and Christian communities in Syria whose sense of security in their own country has been deeply shaken by this attack.”
The WCC central committee appealed to the government and authorities of Syria to take swift and decisive action to ensure the security of all citizens, especially in cases where sectarian violence targets specific communities. “Such action is essential to restoring trust and fostering a peaceful and inclusive future for all Syrians,” reads the minute. “We pray for God’s special blessing and care for the churches and Christian communities of Syria and the whole Middle East, who live and witness in this land, the cradle of our shared faith.”
The WCC central committee is convening 18-24 June in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Source: oikoumene.org
