International Community indifferent to the plight of persecuted Christians

“Nowadays most Catholics and Protestants in western countries are playing the same role of Pontius Pilate, washing his hands”

” It is shameful, the indifference shown by the international community to the tragedy of persecuted Christians in countries like Iraq and Syria where the Islamic State has murdered, kidnapped, enslaved and raped thousands” declared Reverend Fadi Rabbath, originally from Lebanon. The Orthodox leader stated that “directly or indirectly because of their faith more than 100 thousand Christians are killed a year, ie ‘one every five minutes.’ “

“Don’t you think that nowadays most Catholics and Protestants in western countries are playing the role of Pontius Pilate, washing their hands in the face of  the tragedy of their brothers for a few drops of oil or their narrow interests?”  asked  Fadi Rabbath.

Reverend Rabbat, who frequently travels the border between Lebanon and Syria where he sees the plight of thousands of refugees fleeing extremist violence, recalled the thousands of Christians kidnapped by  Islamic State and the killing of 21 Coptic Christians in Libya.

What is happening in the Middle East is undoubtedly a major scandal to each and every one of us that makes us remember what the Lord said: “ Your brother’s blood is crying to me from the ground”  Perhaps now more than ever,  our brothers in the Middle East are being expelled and dispossessed, just for being Christians. However, despite the injustices and persecution, faithful Christians are hold on because “we are followers of Jesus Christ”.

In spite of all the misfortune that has befallen them, he said “We give thanks, for our persecutors strengthen our faith because there is no Christianity without persecution! …… persecution and insult: this is the fate of a Christian”.

Rabbath declared it was madness for the world to allow those in the Middle East to continue living in such drastic conditions.”Therefore, we cannot remain silent when the rights of individuals are not recognized and  respected, when it allows human beings  not to live with the dignity they deserve. We must raise the level of moral imperative in our world and not resign ourselves to the immoral being considered normal “he said.

However, if there is still no solution to the plight of Christians in the Middle East, is is “legitimate to think that the interests, balances of power and wealth come before, without yielding a step, survival and well-being of affected populations”.

The Orthodox leader also criticized US President Barack Obama, who “speaks of Islamophobia, but you forget to mention your country’s Christianophobia”. Mr. Obama, considered a great  human rights activist, called on western countries to allow Muslim citizens to practice religion in their own way without dictating how Muslim women should dress, but failed to ask his Muslim allies in the Middle East to do something about the daily violation of  human rights and civil liberties of Christians: “We have not heard any disagreement on their part when the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah, called for the destruction of churches and a ban on building new  ones in  Arabia, under Islamic law “.

Following his criticism of Obama, Reverend Rabbat denounced the lack of religious freedom for minority Christians in Muslim countries. He wondered how a pact of international peace could be concluded, without a priori, contracting the same rights and obligations for Christians.

Jose Angel Gutierrez – ACN Spain