{"id":11548,"date":"2015-09-16T21:03:00","date_gmt":"2015-09-16T21:03:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.catholicnewsagency.com\/news\/we-want-solutions-not-guns-a-syrian-archbishop-speaks-out-35251\/"},"modified":"2015-09-16T21:03:00","modified_gmt":"2015-09-16T21:03:00","slug":"we-want-solutions-not-guns-a-syrian-bishop-speaks-out","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/catholicnews\/2015\/09\/we-want-solutions-not-guns-a-syrian-bishop-speaks-out\/","title":{"rendered":"We want solutions, not guns \u2013 a Syrian bishop speaks out"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

<\/p>\n

Vatican City, Sep 16, 2015 \/ 03:03 pm (CNA\/EWTN News<\/a>).- Outside entities who drive the Syrian war \u2013 either through the selling of arms or their own political and strategic interests \u2013 must stop, and the country should look inside itself to resolve the conflict.<\/p>\n

\tThese are the words of the Chaldean Bishop of Aleppo, Antoine Audo, who has watched the destruction of his country through fighting between its government and various rebel factions over the last four years.<\/p>\n

\t\u201cI think the solution is political,\u201d he told CNA. \u201cWe have to stop giving arms and money to those groups, and to find a way for a political solution from the Syrian (people), from inside and not from outside.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tThe Chaldean bishop\u2019s words came ahead of a Sept. 16 news conference titled \u201cSyrian Christians: help us to stay,\u201d hosted by Aid to the Church in Need and the Foreign Press Association.<\/p>\n

\tDuring a question and answer session for the event, the bishop said that \u201cat an international level, (there is) a determination to continue the war, to destroy, to divide, until everything has been leveled to the ground, like they did in Iraq, like they did in Libya, like they are doing in Yemen.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tThe reality of the Syrian war, he said, is one bent on destruction and division that serves both regional and international interests.<\/p>\n

\t\u201cI think the first interest is, and Pope Francis has spoken of this on several important occasions, the selling of arms. Economic interests at the regional and international level, and then strategic interests.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tRussia has been a leading importer of arms in Syria, donating millions in weapons, including missile systems, which critics have said help keep Syrian president Bashar al-Assad in power, according to Rueters.<\/p>\n

\tThe United States has also been a generous contributor to the conflict, mostly via a secret CIA operation aimed at training and arming Syrian rebels,\u00a0\u00a0 the Washington Post reports.\u00a0\u00a0 Saudi Arabia and Qatar are among the main supporters of the rebels in the Middle East.<\/p>\n

\tSince the war first broke out in 2011, 250,000 Syrians have lost their lives, among whom are 11,000 children. Four million Syrians have fled abroad and are living as refugees, while an additional 8 million are internally displaced.<\/p>\n

\tClose to 3 million children have stopped going to school, and life expectancy in the country has dropped from 79 in 2011 to 55 today.<\/p>\n

\tBishop Audo told CNA the situation on the ground is one \u201cof war, of danger everywhere, not only for Christians but for everybody,\u201d particularly in Aleppo, which sits near the Turkish border and is more vulnerable to attacks.<\/p>\n

\t\u201cIt\u2019s a very hard situation of danger and poverty. For instance, we\u2019re still living for more than a month or two with no water or electricity,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\tIn his speech, the bishop said that poverty is drastically increasing, and that \u201cwhen I walk out onto the street I see an aggressive poverty. Misery.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tHe noted how there is one well in Aleppo where people go to get water, of which there is a shortage. Children can frequently be seen in the streets with empty bottles in hand looking for water, he said, adding that the hot summer has aggravated the situation.<\/p>\n

\t\u201cAll of those who can leave do, because this region is in immense poverty\u2026how can one live without dignity and quality of life?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\tThis is the situation that leads many to gather what funds they can and travel to Turkey to pay for a trip across the sea, which all too often end in \u201cthese terrible accidents and deaths\u2026because there isn\u2019t a horizon for a solution.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tAs the authority who oversees Aleppo\u2019s Chaldean Catholic population, Bishop Audo said that he understands why they are leaving, but wants to do everything possible to help them stay.<\/p>\n

\t\u201cIt\u2019s not easy,\u201d he confessed, adding that to see Christians leaving is \u201can experience of death, an experience of the end of our presence.\u201d<\/p>\n

\t\u201cNot for me as a Chaldean bishop, but for all patriarchs, all bishops, for the whole community,\u201d he said, but conceded that \u201cwe don\u2019t have another choice in front of us. This is the drama we are living today.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tHowever, he told CNA that the presence of Christians \u201cis very important for Syria, for the universal Church, for Arabic Christianity in dialogue with Islam, and for our Eastern Churches rooted in this country,\u201d and because of this he will continue to do what\u2019s possible for Christians to stay.<\/p>\n

\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

Vatican City, Sep 16, 2015 \/ 03:03 pm (CNA\/EWTN News<\/a>).- Outside entities who drive the Syrian war – either through the selling of arms or their own political and strategic interests – must stop, and the country should look inside itself to resolve the conflict.<\/p>\n

\tThese are the words of the Chaldean Bishop of Aleppo, Antoine Audo, who has watched the destruction of his country through fighting between its government and various rebel factions over the last four years.<\/p>\n

\t“I think the solution is political,” he told CNA. “We have to stop giving arms and money to those groups, and to find a way for a political solution from the Syrian (people), from inside and not from outside.”<\/p>\n

\tThe Chaldean bishop’s words came ahead of a Sept. 16 news conference titled “Syrian Christians: help us to stay,” hosted by Aid to the Church in Need and the Foreign Press Association.<\/p>\n

\tDuring a question and answer session for the event, the bishop said that “at an international level, (there is) a determination to continue the war, to destroy, to divide, until everything has been leveled to the ground, like they did in Iraq, like they did in Libya, like they are doing in Yemen.”<\/p>\n

\tThe reality of the Syrian war, he said, is one bent on destruction and division that serves both regional and international interests.<\/p>\n

\t“I think the first interest is, and Pope Francis has spoken of this on several important occasions, the selling of arms. Economic interests at the regional and international level, and then strategic interests.”<\/p>\n

\tRussia has been a leading importer of arms in Syria, donating millions in weapons, including missile systems, which critics have said help keep Syrian president Bashar al-Assad in power, according to Rueters.<\/p>\n

\tThe United States has also been a generous contributor to the conflict, mostly via a secret CIA operation aimed at training and arming Syrian rebels,   the Washington Post reports.   Saudi Arabia and Qatar are among the main supporters of the rebels in the Middle East.<\/p>\n

\tSince the war first broke out in 2011, 250,000 Syrians have lost their lives, among whom are 11,000 children. Four million Syrians have fled abroad and are living as refugees, while an additional 8 million are internally displaced.<\/p>\n

\tClose to 3 million children have stopped going to school, and life expectancy in the country has dropped from 79 in 2011 to 55 today.<\/p>\n

\tBishop Audo told CNA the situation on the ground is one “of war, of danger everywhere, not only for Christians but for everybody,” particularly in Aleppo, which sits near the Turkish border and is more vulnerable to attacks.<\/p>\n

\t“It’s a very hard situation of danger and poverty. For instance, we’re still living for more than a month or two with no water or electricity,” he said.<\/p>\n

\tIn his speech, the bishop said that poverty is drastically increasing, and that “when I walk out onto the street I see an aggressive poverty. Misery.”<\/p>\n

\tHe noted how there is one well in Aleppo where people go to get water, of which there is a shortage. Children can frequently be seen in the streets with empty bottles in hand looking for water, he said, adding that the hot summer has aggravated the situation.<\/p>\n

\t“All of those who can leave do, because this region is in immense poverty…how can one live without dignity and quality of life?” he asked.<\/p>\n

\tThis is the situation that leads many to gather what funds they can and travel to Turkey to pay for a trip across the sea, which all too often end in “these terrible accidents and deaths…because there isn’t a horizon for a solution.”<\/p>\n

\tAs the authority who oversees Aleppo’s Chaldean Catholic population, Bishop Audo said that he understands why they are leaving, but wants to do everything possible to help them stay.<\/p>\n

\t“It’s not easy,” he confessed, adding that to see Christians leaving is “an experience of death, an experience of the end of our presence.”<\/p>\n

\t“Not for me as a Chaldean bishop, but for all patriarchs, all bishops, for the whole community,” he said, but conceded that “we don’t have another choice in front of us. This is the drama we are living today.”<\/p>\n

\tHowever, he told CNA that the presence of Christians “is very important for Syria, for the universal Church, for Arabic Christianity in dialogue with Islam, and for our Eastern Churches rooted in this country,” and because of this he will continue to do what’s possible for Christians to stay.<\/p>\n

\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1031,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11548","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-vatican"],"yoast_head":"\nWe want solutions, not guns \u2013 a Syrian bishop speaks out<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Vatican City, Sep 16, 2015 \/ 03:03 pm (CNA\/EWTN News).- Outside entities who drive the Syrian war – either through the selling of arms or their own political and strategic interests – must stop, and the country should look inside itself to resolve the conflict. These are the words of the Chaldean Bishop of Aleppo, Antoine Audo, who has watched the destruction of his country through fighting between its government and various rebel factions over the last four years. “I think the solution is political,” he told CNA. “We have to stop giving arms and money to those groups, and to find a way for a political solution from the Syrian (people), from inside and not from outside.” The Chaldean bishop's words came ahead of a Sept. 16 news conference titled “Syrian Christians: help us to stay,” hosted by Aid to the Church in Need and the Foreign Press Association. During a question and answer session for the event, the bishop said that “at an international level, (there is) a determination to continue the war, to destroy, to divide, until everything has been leveled to the ground, like they did in Iraq, like they did in Libya, like they are doing in Yemen.” The reality of the Syrian war, he said, is one bent on destruction and division that serves both regional and international interests. “I think the first interest is, and Pope Francis has spoken of this on several important occasions, the selling of arms. Economic interests at the regional and international level, and then strategic interests.” Russia has been a leading importer of arms in Syria, donating millions in weapons, including missile systems, which critics have said help keep Syrian president Bashar al-Assad in power, according to Rueters. The United States has also been a generous contributor to the conflict, mostly via a secret CIA operation aimed at training and arming Syrian rebels,   the Washington Post reports.   Saudi Arabia and Qatar are among the main supporters of the rebels in the Middle East. Since the war first broke out in 2011, 250,000 Syrians have lost their lives, among whom are 11,000 children. Four million Syrians have fled abroad and are living as refugees, while an additional 8 million are internally displaced. Close to 3 million children have stopped going to school, and life expectancy in the country has dropped from 79 in 2011 to 55 today. Bishop Audo told CNA the situation on the ground is one “of war, of danger everywhere, not only for Christians but for everybody,” particularly in Aleppo, which sits near the Turkish border and is more vulnerable to attacks. “It's a very hard situation of danger and poverty. For instance, we’re still living for more than a month or two with no water or electricity,” he said. In his speech, the bishop said that poverty is drastically increasing, and that “when I walk out onto the street I see an aggressive poverty. Misery.” He noted how there is one well in Aleppo where people go to get water, of which there is a shortage. Children can frequently be seen in the streets with empty bottles in hand looking for water, he said, adding that the hot summer has aggravated the situation. “All of those who can leave do, because this region is in immense poverty…how can one live without dignity and quality of life?” he asked. This is the situation that leads many to gather what funds they can and travel to Turkey to pay for a trip across the sea, which all too often end in “these terrible accidents and deaths…because there isn’t a horizon for a solution.” As the authority who oversees Aleppo's Chaldean Catholic population, Bishop Audo said that he understands why they are leaving, but wants to do everything possible to help them stay. “It's not easy,” he confessed, adding that to see Christians leaving is “an experience of death, an experience of the end of our presence.” “Not for me as a Chaldean bishop, but for all patriarchs, all bishops, for the whole community,” he said, but conceded that “we don’t have another choice in front of us. This is the drama we are living today.” However, he told CNA that the presence of Christians “is very important for Syria, for the universal Church, for Arabic Christianity in dialogue with Islam, and for our Eastern Churches rooted in this country,” and because of this he will continue to do what’s possible for Christians to stay.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/catholicnews\/2015\/09\/we-want-solutions-not-guns-a-syrian-bishop-speaks-out\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"We want solutions, not guns \u2013 a Syrian bishop speaks out\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Vatican City, Sep 16, 2015 \/ 03:03 pm (CNA\/EWTN News).- Outside entities who drive the Syrian war – either through the selling of arms or their own political and strategic interests – must stop, and the country should look inside itself to resolve the conflict. These are the words of the Chaldean Bishop of Aleppo, Antoine Audo, who has watched the destruction of his country through fighting between its government and various rebel factions over the last four years. “I think the solution is political,” he told CNA. “We have to stop giving arms and money to those groups, and to find a way for a political solution from the Syrian (people), from inside and not from outside.” The Chaldean bishop's words came ahead of a Sept. 16 news conference titled “Syrian Christians: help us to stay,” hosted by Aid to the Church in Need and the Foreign Press Association. During a question and answer session for the event, the bishop said that “at an international level, (there is) a determination to continue the war, to destroy, to divide, until everything has been leveled to the ground, like they did in Iraq, like they did in Libya, like they are doing in Yemen.” The reality of the Syrian war, he said, is one bent on destruction and division that serves both regional and international interests. “I think the first interest is, and Pope Francis has spoken of this on several important occasions, the selling of arms. Economic interests at the regional and international level, and then strategic interests.” Russia has been a leading importer of arms in Syria, donating millions in weapons, including missile systems, which critics have said help keep Syrian president Bashar al-Assad in power, according to Rueters. The United States has also been a generous contributor to the conflict, mostly via a secret CIA operation aimed at training and arming Syrian rebels,   the Washington Post reports.   Saudi Arabia and Qatar are among the main supporters of the rebels in the Middle East. Since the war first broke out in 2011, 250,000 Syrians have lost their lives, among whom are 11,000 children. Four million Syrians have fled abroad and are living as refugees, while an additional 8 million are internally displaced. Close to 3 million children have stopped going to school, and life expectancy in the country has dropped from 79 in 2011 to 55 today. Bishop Audo told CNA the situation on the ground is one “of war, of danger everywhere, not only for Christians but for everybody,” particularly in Aleppo, which sits near the Turkish border and is more vulnerable to attacks. “It's a very hard situation of danger and poverty. For instance, we’re still living for more than a month or two with no water or electricity,” he said. In his speech, the bishop said that poverty is drastically increasing, and that “when I walk out onto the street I see an aggressive poverty. Misery.” He noted how there is one well in Aleppo where people go to get water, of which there is a shortage. Children can frequently be seen in the streets with empty bottles in hand looking for water, he said, adding that the hot summer has aggravated the situation. “All of those who can leave do, because this region is in immense poverty…how can one live without dignity and quality of life?” he asked. This is the situation that leads many to gather what funds they can and travel to Turkey to pay for a trip across the sea, which all too often end in “these terrible accidents and deaths…because there isn’t a horizon for a solution.” As the authority who oversees Aleppo's Chaldean Catholic population, Bishop Audo said that he understands why they are leaving, but wants to do everything possible to help them stay. “It's not easy,” he confessed, adding that to see Christians leaving is “an experience of death, an experience of the end of our presence.” “Not for me as a Chaldean bishop, but for all patriarchs, all bishops, for the whole community,” he said, but conceded that “we don’t have another choice in front of us. This is the drama we are living today.” However, he told CNA that the presence of Christians “is very important for Syria, for the universal Church, for Arabic Christianity in dialogue with Islam, and for our Eastern Churches rooted in this country,” and because of this he will continue to do what’s possible for Christians to stay.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/catholicnews\/2015\/09\/we-want-solutions-not-guns-a-syrian-bishop-speaks-out\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Catholic News\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2015-09-16T21:03:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"http:\/\/www.catholicnewsagency.com\/images\/size340\/Bishop_Antoine_Aude_of_Aleppo_Syria_in_Rome_Sept_16_2015_Credit_Bohumil_Petrik_CNA_2_CNA_9_16_15.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"CNA Daily News\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"CNA Daily News\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/catholicnews\/2015\/09\/we-want-solutions-not-guns-a-syrian-bishop-speaks-out\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/catholicnews\/2015\/09\/we-want-solutions-not-guns-a-syrian-bishop-speaks-out\/\",\"name\":\"We want solutions, not guns \u2013 a Syrian bishop speaks out\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/catholicnews\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2015-09-16T21:03:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2015-09-16T21:03:00+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/catholicnews\/#\/schema\/person\/35d4bd7addc580050842c844a11575f1\"},\"description\":\"Vatican City, Sep 16, 2015 \/ 03:03 pm (CNA\/EWTN News).- Outside entities who drive the Syrian war – either through the selling of arms or their own political and strategic interests – must stop, and the country should look inside itself to resolve the conflict. These are the words of the Chaldean Bishop of Aleppo, Antoine Audo, who has watched the destruction of his country through fighting between its government and various rebel factions over the last four years. “I think the solution is political,” he told CNA. “We have to stop giving arms and money to those groups, and to find a way for a political solution from the Syrian (people), from inside and not from outside.” The Chaldean bishop's words came ahead of a Sept. 16 news conference titled “Syrian Christians: help us to stay,” hosted by Aid to the Church in Need and the Foreign Press Association. During a question and answer session for the event, the bishop said that “at an international level, (there is) a determination to continue the war, to destroy, to divide, until everything has been leveled to the ground, like they did in Iraq, like they did in Libya, like they are doing in Yemen.” The reality of the Syrian war, he said, is one bent on destruction and division that serves both regional and international interests. “I think the first interest is, and Pope Francis has spoken of this on several important occasions, the selling of arms. Economic interests at the regional and international level, and then strategic interests.” Russia has been a leading importer of arms in Syria, donating millions in weapons, including missile systems, which critics have said help keep Syrian president Bashar al-Assad in power, according to Rueters. The United States has also been a generous contributor to the conflict, mostly via a secret CIA operation aimed at training and arming Syrian rebels,   the Washington Post reports.   Saudi Arabia and Qatar are among the main supporters of the rebels in the Middle East. Since the war first broke out in 2011, 250,000 Syrians have lost their lives, among whom are 11,000 children. Four million Syrians have fled abroad and are living as refugees, while an additional 8 million are internally displaced. Close to 3 million children have stopped going to school, and life expectancy in the country has dropped from 79 in 2011 to 55 today. Bishop Audo told CNA the situation on the ground is one “of war, of danger everywhere, not only for Christians but for everybody,” particularly in Aleppo, which sits near the Turkish border and is more vulnerable to attacks. “It's a very hard situation of danger and poverty. For instance, we’re still living for more than a month or two with no water or electricity,” he said. In his speech, the bishop said that poverty is drastically increasing, and that “when I walk out onto the street I see an aggressive poverty. Misery.” He noted how there is one well in Aleppo where people go to get water, of which there is a shortage. Children can frequently be seen in the streets with empty bottles in hand looking for water, he said, adding that the hot summer has aggravated the situation. “All of those who can leave do, because this region is in immense poverty…how can one live without dignity and quality of life?” he asked. This is the situation that leads many to gather what funds they can and travel to Turkey to pay for a trip across the sea, which all too often end in “these terrible accidents and deaths…because there isn’t a horizon for a solution.” As the authority who oversees Aleppo's Chaldean Catholic population, Bishop Audo said that he understands why they are leaving, but wants to do everything possible to help them stay. “It's not easy,” he confessed, adding that to see Christians leaving is “an experience of death, an experience of the end of our presence.” “Not for me as a Chaldean bishop, but for all patriarchs, all bishops, for the whole community,” he said, but conceded that “we don’t have another choice in front of us. 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These are the words of the Chaldean Bishop of Aleppo, Antoine Audo, who has watched the destruction of his country through fighting between its government and various rebel factions over the last four years. “I think the solution is political,” he told CNA. “We have to stop giving arms and money to those groups, and to find a way for a political solution from the Syrian (people), from inside and not from outside.” The Chaldean bishop's words came ahead of a Sept. 16 news conference titled “Syrian Christians: help us to stay,” hosted by Aid to the Church in Need and the Foreign Press Association. During a question and answer session for the event, the bishop said that “at an international level, (there is) a determination to continue the war, to destroy, to divide, until everything has been leveled to the ground, like they did in Iraq, like they did in Libya, like they are doing in Yemen.” The reality of the Syrian war, he said, is one bent on destruction and division that serves both regional and international interests. “I think the first interest is, and Pope Francis has spoken of this on several important occasions, the selling of arms. Economic interests at the regional and international level, and then strategic interests.” Russia has been a leading importer of arms in Syria, donating millions in weapons, including missile systems, which critics have said help keep Syrian president Bashar al-Assad in power, according to Rueters. The United States has also been a generous contributor to the conflict, mostly via a secret CIA operation aimed at training and arming Syrian rebels,   the Washington Post reports.   Saudi Arabia and Qatar are among the main supporters of the rebels in the Middle East. Since the war first broke out in 2011, 250,000 Syrians have lost their lives, among whom are 11,000 children. Four million Syrians have fled abroad and are living as refugees, while an additional 8 million are internally displaced. Close to 3 million children have stopped going to school, and life expectancy in the country has dropped from 79 in 2011 to 55 today. Bishop Audo told CNA the situation on the ground is one “of war, of danger everywhere, not only for Christians but for everybody,” particularly in Aleppo, which sits near the Turkish border and is more vulnerable to attacks. “It's a very hard situation of danger and poverty. For instance, we’re still living for more than a month or two with no water or electricity,” he said. In his speech, the bishop said that poverty is drastically increasing, and that “when I walk out onto the street I see an aggressive poverty. Misery.” He noted how there is one well in Aleppo where people go to get water, of which there is a shortage. Children can frequently be seen in the streets with empty bottles in hand looking for water, he said, adding that the hot summer has aggravated the situation. “All of those who can leave do, because this region is in immense poverty…how can one live without dignity and quality of life?” he asked. This is the situation that leads many to gather what funds they can and travel to Turkey to pay for a trip across the sea, which all too often end in “these terrible accidents and deaths…because there isn’t a horizon for a solution.” As the authority who oversees Aleppo's Chaldean Catholic population, Bishop Audo said that he understands why they are leaving, but wants to do everything possible to help them stay. “It's not easy,” he confessed, adding that to see Christians leaving is “an experience of death, an experience of the end of our presence.” “Not for me as a Chaldean bishop, but for all patriarchs, all bishops, for the whole community,” he said, but conceded that “we don’t have another choice in front of us. This is the drama we are living today.” However, he told CNA that the presence of Christians “is very important for Syria, for the universal Church, for Arabic Christianity in dialogue with Islam, and for our Eastern Churches rooted in this country,” and because of this he will continue to do what’s possible for Christians to stay.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/catholicnews\/2015\/09\/we-want-solutions-not-guns-a-syrian-bishop-speaks-out\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"We want solutions, not guns \u2013 a Syrian bishop speaks out","og_description":"Vatican City, Sep 16, 2015 \/ 03:03 pm (CNA\/EWTN News).- Outside entities who drive the Syrian war – either through the selling of arms or their own political and strategic interests – must stop, and the country should look inside itself to resolve the conflict. These are the words of the Chaldean Bishop of Aleppo, Antoine Audo, who has watched the destruction of his country through fighting between its government and various rebel factions over the last four years. “I think the solution is political,” he told CNA. “We have to stop giving arms and money to those groups, and to find a way for a political solution from the Syrian (people), from inside and not from outside.” The Chaldean bishop's words came ahead of a Sept. 16 news conference titled “Syrian Christians: help us to stay,” hosted by Aid to the Church in Need and the Foreign Press Association. During a question and answer session for the event, the bishop said that “at an international level, (there is) a determination to continue the war, to destroy, to divide, until everything has been leveled to the ground, like they did in Iraq, like they did in Libya, like they are doing in Yemen.” The reality of the Syrian war, he said, is one bent on destruction and division that serves both regional and international interests. “I think the first interest is, and Pope Francis has spoken of this on several important occasions, the selling of arms. Economic interests at the regional and international level, and then strategic interests.” Russia has been a leading importer of arms in Syria, donating millions in weapons, including missile systems, which critics have said help keep Syrian president Bashar al-Assad in power, according to Rueters. The United States has also been a generous contributor to the conflict, mostly via a secret CIA operation aimed at training and arming Syrian rebels,   the Washington Post reports.   Saudi Arabia and Qatar are among the main supporters of the rebels in the Middle East. Since the war first broke out in 2011, 250,000 Syrians have lost their lives, among whom are 11,000 children. Four million Syrians have fled abroad and are living as refugees, while an additional 8 million are internally displaced. Close to 3 million children have stopped going to school, and life expectancy in the country has dropped from 79 in 2011 to 55 today. Bishop Audo told CNA the situation on the ground is one “of war, of danger everywhere, not only for Christians but for everybody,” particularly in Aleppo, which sits near the Turkish border and is more vulnerable to attacks. “It's a very hard situation of danger and poverty. For instance, we’re still living for more than a month or two with no water or electricity,” he said. In his speech, the bishop said that poverty is drastically increasing, and that “when I walk out onto the street I see an aggressive poverty. Misery.” He noted how there is one well in Aleppo where people go to get water, of which there is a shortage. Children can frequently be seen in the streets with empty bottles in hand looking for water, he said, adding that the hot summer has aggravated the situation. “All of those who can leave do, because this region is in immense poverty…how can one live without dignity and quality of life?” he asked. This is the situation that leads many to gather what funds they can and travel to Turkey to pay for a trip across the sea, which all too often end in “these terrible accidents and deaths…because there isn’t a horizon for a solution.” As the authority who oversees Aleppo's Chaldean Catholic population, Bishop Audo said that he understands why they are leaving, but wants to do everything possible to help them stay. “It's not easy,” he confessed, adding that to see Christians leaving is “an experience of death, an experience of the end of our presence.” “Not for me as a Chaldean bishop, but for all patriarchs, all bishops, for the whole community,” he said, but conceded that “we don’t have another choice in front of us. This is the drama we are living today.” However, he told CNA that the presence of Christians “is very important for Syria, for the universal Church, for Arabic Christianity in dialogue with Islam, and for our Eastern Churches rooted in this country,” and because of this he will continue to do what’s possible for Christians to stay.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/catholicnews\/2015\/09\/we-want-solutions-not-guns-a-syrian-bishop-speaks-out\/","og_site_name":"Catholic News","article_published_time":"2015-09-16T21:03:00+00:00","og_image":[{"url":"http:\/\/www.catholicnewsagency.com\/images\/size340\/Bishop_Antoine_Aude_of_Aleppo_Syria_in_Rome_Sept_16_2015_Credit_Bohumil_Petrik_CNA_2_CNA_9_16_15.jpg"}],"author":"CNA Daily News","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"CNA Daily News","Est. reading time":"4 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/catholicnews\/2015\/09\/we-want-solutions-not-guns-a-syrian-bishop-speaks-out\/","url":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/catholicnews\/2015\/09\/we-want-solutions-not-guns-a-syrian-bishop-speaks-out\/","name":"We want solutions, not guns \u2013 a Syrian bishop speaks out","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/catholicnews\/#website"},"datePublished":"2015-09-16T21:03:00+00:00","dateModified":"2015-09-16T21:03:00+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/catholicnews\/#\/schema\/person\/35d4bd7addc580050842c844a11575f1"},"description":"Vatican City, Sep 16, 2015 \/ 03:03 pm (CNA\/EWTN News).- Outside entities who drive the Syrian war – either through the selling of arms or their own political and strategic interests – must stop, and the country should look inside itself to resolve the conflict. These are the words of the Chaldean Bishop of Aleppo, Antoine Audo, who has watched the destruction of his country through fighting between its government and various rebel factions over the last four years. “I think the solution is political,” he told CNA. “We have to stop giving arms and money to those groups, and to find a way for a political solution from the Syrian (people), from inside and not from outside.” The Chaldean bishop's words came ahead of a Sept. 16 news conference titled “Syrian Christians: help us to stay,” hosted by Aid to the Church in Need and the Foreign Press Association. During a question and answer session for the event, the bishop said that “at an international level, (there is) a determination to continue the war, to destroy, to divide, until everything has been leveled to the ground, like they did in Iraq, like they did in Libya, like they are doing in Yemen.” The reality of the Syrian war, he said, is one bent on destruction and division that serves both regional and international interests. “I think the first interest is, and Pope Francis has spoken of this on several important occasions, the selling of arms. Economic interests at the regional and international level, and then strategic interests.” Russia has been a leading importer of arms in Syria, donating millions in weapons, including missile systems, which critics have said help keep Syrian president Bashar al-Assad in power, according to Rueters. The United States has also been a generous contributor to the conflict, mostly via a secret CIA operation aimed at training and arming Syrian rebels,   the Washington Post reports.   Saudi Arabia and Qatar are among the main supporters of the rebels in the Middle East. Since the war first broke out in 2011, 250,000 Syrians have lost their lives, among whom are 11,000 children. Four million Syrians have fled abroad and are living as refugees, while an additional 8 million are internally displaced. Close to 3 million children have stopped going to school, and life expectancy in the country has dropped from 79 in 2011 to 55 today. Bishop Audo told CNA the situation on the ground is one “of war, of danger everywhere, not only for Christians but for everybody,” particularly in Aleppo, which sits near the Turkish border and is more vulnerable to attacks. “It's a very hard situation of danger and poverty. For instance, we’re still living for more than a month or two with no water or electricity,” he said. In his speech, the bishop said that poverty is drastically increasing, and that “when I walk out onto the street I see an aggressive poverty. Misery.” He noted how there is one well in Aleppo where people go to get water, of which there is a shortage. Children can frequently be seen in the streets with empty bottles in hand looking for water, he said, adding that the hot summer has aggravated the situation. “All of those who can leave do, because this region is in immense poverty…how can one live without dignity and quality of life?” he asked. This is the situation that leads many to gather what funds they can and travel to Turkey to pay for a trip across the sea, which all too often end in “these terrible accidents and deaths…because there isn’t a horizon for a solution.” As the authority who oversees Aleppo's Chaldean Catholic population, Bishop Audo said that he understands why they are leaving, but wants to do everything possible to help them stay. “It's not easy,” he confessed, adding that to see Christians leaving is “an experience of death, an experience of the end of our presence.” “Not for me as a Chaldean bishop, but for all patriarchs, all bishops, for the whole community,” he said, but conceded that “we don’t have another choice in front of us. This is the drama we are living today.” However, he told CNA that the presence of Christians “is very important for Syria, for the universal Church, for Arabic Christianity in dialogue with Islam, and for our Eastern Churches rooted in this country,” and because of this he will continue to do what’s possible for Christians to stay.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/catholicnews\/2015\/09\/we-want-solutions-not-guns-a-syrian-bishop-speaks-out\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/catholicnews\/2015\/09\/we-want-solutions-not-guns-a-syrian-bishop-speaks-out\/"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/catholicnews\/2015\/09\/we-want-solutions-not-guns-a-syrian-bishop-speaks-out\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/catholicnews\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"We want solutions, not guns \u2013 a Syrian bishop speaks out"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/catholicnews\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/catholicnews\/","name":"Catholic News","description":"","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/catholicnews\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/catholicnews\/#\/schema\/person\/35d4bd7addc580050842c844a11575f1","name":"CNA Daily News","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/catholicnews\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8f1180c7dca7995d4a997aac72a3a88a?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8f1180c7dca7995d4a997aac72a3a88a?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"CNA Daily News"},"sameAs":["http:\/\/www.catholicnewsagency.com\/"],"url":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/catholicnews\/author\/cna-daily-news\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/catholicnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11548","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/catholicnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/catholicnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/catholicnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1031"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/catholicnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11548"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/catholicnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11548\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/catholicnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11548"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/catholicnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11548"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/catholicnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11548"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}