Greek-Catholic Archbishop of Homs, Jean-Abdo Arbach, has strongly condemned the recent massacres in Syria, which left over 1,000 civilians dead, and urged Christians to remain hopeful despite the ongoing violence.

In a statement to Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), Arbach stressed the critical role of the Christian community in Syria’s future. “Without Christians, there can be no future for Syria,” he said, calling on the faithful to stay firm in their faith amid difficult times. He highlighted the country’s deep Christian heritage, pointing to historic churches, monasteries, and the continued use of Aramaic, the language spoken by Jesus.

The attacks have been attributed to Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, a Sunni Islamist militant group that has played a role in the country’s instability. The archbishop lamented the suffering caused by the violence and called for an end to hostilities. “We do not want more bloodshed. We call for unity and reconciliation. After 14 years of war, we do not need another conflict,” he stated.

Arbach also described the dire humanitarian situation in Syria, citing severe shortages of food, medicine, and employment opportunities. He noted that many people are losing hope and considering leaving the country.

In addition, the archbishop called for the lifting of international sanctions, which he believes are exacerbating the crisis. Meanwhile, the Catholic Church continues to provide crucial support to struggling communities by offering financial aid, medical assistance, food, and spiritual guidance to help Christians remain in their homeland.

Despite the immense challenges, Arbach reaffirmed his commitment to preserving Syria’s Christian heritage and fostering reconciliation, urging people to hold onto hope for a better future.