Bishops of the East call for abolishing extremism, urge world to act

The bishops of the East called on Pope Francis and the world to find a solution for the issue of the Christian community in Iraq, noting that expelling the Christians from the regions of Mosul and the Nineveh Plain is not only a transient event, but a decision taken by the Islamic State.

“How does the world’s conscience that speaks of human rights handle the crisis faced by the Christians in Mosul?” they asked.

In a statement read by Maronite Bishop of Beirut Boulos Matar from Bkerke, the bishops urged the UN Security Council to issue a resolution that allows the displaced to return to their lands as soon as possible, pointing out that the incidents taking place in Syria have become absurd.

On another note, the bishops said that Israel’s actions in Gaza are a war against humanity, calling on the International Community to act immediately in order to put an end to the violence committed against innocents.

Also in the statement, the bishops expressed their full support for the Lebanese Armed Forces and security forces in their efforts to save Arsal from the armed groups, praising the united position voiced by the Lebanese factions to support the army.

“Assuming responsibility is required to abolish the extremist ideology, which is harming the reputation of both Islam and Christianity,” they concluded.