An Urgent Appeal to Pope Francis

September 3, 2013

Your Holiness Pope Francis,

We are very concerned about the massacres that have engulfed the people of Syria over the past two years. We are aware that the political and military powers of the world are using Syria and other Arab countries to advance their own interests. Thousands of victims have already died and millions have been displaced to neighboring countries as they lost their properties and belongings. The disaster of the invasion of Iraq by the U.S. forces in 2003 in spite of warnings by Saint John Paul II may now repeat itself in Syria. The most afflicted are Christians and their presence in the region especially with the islamisation program of entire countries supported by the U.S. and its allies.

Yet we are confident that your intercession as the moral voice of the world with the highest civil and religious authorities in those powers will bear fruits. It is for the poor, such as those of Syria, that your voice has providentially been raised in the entire globe since your election to minister to the People of God as Supreme Pastor in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Regardless of the validity of the claims of the U.S. Government that they have evidence of chemical warfare used by the Syrian regime against the Syrian people, it is urgent that you personally speak to Mr. Vladimir Putin, President of Russia and His Holiness Kirill Patriarch of the Orthodox Church of Russia on the Syrian crisis. Your intercession with Catholics in North America, President Obama and the Congress of the U.S. as well as their allies is equally crucial to avert a global crisis and obtain justice for persecuted Christians and moderate Muslims in the region.

It is evident, based on fears recently expressed  by the Syrian President, that an attack on Syria may trigger a regional war in the Middle East and possibly a global war.

It is for all of the above that direct talks between opposing factions in Syria as well as the powers that support them are needed through your intercession.

May the Blessed Triune God, who gives life, to the world bless your work of reconciliation, and may the Blessed Virgin Mary intercede for all.

Yours in Christ,

George Farahat

Jesus the King Greek Melkite Catholic Church
Toronto Ontario Canada