Archbishop Jacques Mourad, Syro-Catholic Archbishop of Homs, Syria, is in Rome this week, participating in the October 21 presentation of the biannual report on religious freedom from Aid to the Church in Need. On October 18, he received the John Paul II Foundation Award, given to individuals who promote religious freedom and dialogue.
He sees Pope Leo XIV's upcoming visit to the region as an opportunity to strengthen hope, bring international attention back to Syria, and work towards unity.
Co-founder of the Mar Moussa monastery with Italian Jesuit Paolo Dall'Oglio — who himself has been missing since his abduction in 2013 — Bishop Jacques Mourad was taken hostage in 2015 by Islamic State jihadists. Since his release, he has continued to demonstrate his commitment to dialogue and reconciliation in Syria, a country that remains marked by violence and instability nearly a year after the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime.
With Pope Leo XIV's visit to Lebanon and Turkey approaching, he shares with I.MEDIA his hope that this papal trip will shine a light on the situation of Christians in the Middle East.
I.MEDIA: Is Pope Leo XIV's upcoming visit to Lebanon, from November 30 to December 2, generating interest among Syrians?
Archbishop Jacques Mourad: Yes, of course. For all of us, and especially for Christians in Syria, Pope Leo's visit to Lebanon will be a sign of encouragement and hope. We’re lacking that hope at the moment, so I really want to express my gratitude for the Holy Father's attention.
The plight of Christian refugees in Lebanon
Are there still Christians under your jurisdiction, from the Diocese of Homs, who are refugees in Lebanon?
Archbishop Mourad: Yes, unfortunately, Christians continue to leave our territory to take refuge in Lebanon, because the situation is unstable and remains dangerous for some. The situation hasn’t changed much compared to the previous government.
But it must also be said that the lives of our Christian refugees in Lebanon are miserable. They live in isolation, without resources. Even those who work don’t earn a decent wage. Landlords take advantage of their situation.
This situation highlights the injustice of international policy. The UN refuses to register Syrian Christian refugees who do not settle in refugee camps. But in reality, they cannot find a place in those camps, as the atmosphere there is marked by the presence of fanatical Muslims. Christians cannot live in that environment.
Syrian Christian refugees are therefore forgotten. They didn’t choose to live in Lebanon to remain in poverty; they were forced to do so. But even outside Syria, they’re persecuted and forgotten. I also find that the Church in Lebanon isn’t fulfilling its duty towards the Christian refugees who are there.
Pope Leo XIV's upcoming visit to Turkey
The first part of the Pope's tour will take place in Turkey. Does this also raise hopes that the challenges of rebuilding Syria will be brought back to the forefront of international attention?
Archbishop Mourad: For us Christians in Syria, the Pope's trip to Turkey is very important—not only diplomatically or politically, but also from an ecclesial perspective, with the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea. We need to understand in our Eastern Churches that we are responsible for the unity of the Church. This is an opportunity to reflect and decide how we want to assume this responsibility and organize this unity in a way that is appropriate for our times.
Continuing this division would be tantamount to pushing people to emigrate. So we have a duty to make them feel that they have common roots, that their life in their country of origin has meaning. We need to touch the hearts of all the faithful, give them signs of hope by proclaiming the unity of the Church, and show them that the richness of our diversity should not lead us to division.
Christian unity in suffering
Have the trials endured by Christian communities in the Middle East, particularly over the past 15 years, prompted the Churches to come closer together and cooperate more closely?
Archbishop Mourad: It’s true that suffering leads us to better understand the importance of unity; it reminds us that we’re “one.” It’s very important now to take the initiative to proclaim a strong testimony that will enable us to change our discourse.
The idea that each Church is independent with its own jurisdiction shouldn’t prevent us from proclaiming together the Kingdom of Heaven, which is common to us all. We need this courage. This opportunity of Pope Leo's visit to Nicaea and Lebanon must lead us to do something serious in favor of this unity.
When you were held hostage, and after your release, did you feel a sense of solidarity not only from Christians of other Churches, but also from Muslims? Did you experience ecumenical solidarity, and even interreligious solidarity?
Archbishop Mourad: Yes, absolutely, and I think that’s the grace of this experience. I’m sure that it was the prayers of everyone that saved my life and that of the other Christians taken hostage. I’m aware that the life of prayer can have a concrete impact in achieving this unity.
Is this award from the John Paul II Foundation an encouragement to persevere in this witness, beyond the trials that might seem insurmountable and traumatic?
Archbishop Mourad: Yes, and it’s also a responsibility. Receiving this award shows that our Church in Syria must seriously pursue this dialogue and this path of ecumenism. Our people expect a lot from us!
