The Syrian Patriarch of Antiochia, Gregory III, today accused an unnamed troublemaker in the Middle East of sowing war and economically ruining Arab countries, as he met with Pope John Paul II.
"It cannot be tolerated that a single country threatens peace and the equilibrium of a large number of Arab countries to sow wars, hatred and economic ruin, and to jeopardize the Christian presence" in the region, said the patriarch, without specifically naming Israel.
Gregory III said the Middle East situation was "unstable and a risk."
Instability is "one of the key causes for the wave of emigrations that continuously threatens our already weakened Christian communities," added the leader of the Greek-Catholic community in Syria and other Middle East countries, which continues to recognize the pope's authority.
Gregory III met with the head of the Roman Catholic Church less than three months before John Paul II's planned visit to Syria. He said he hoped the pope would use his significant political influence to help those in Arab countries.
"The Arab world needs you, your words, your ministry and your international influence," said Gregory III, during an audience granted by the pope to bishops, priests and Greek-Catholic believers.
The pontiff will be in Syria May 5-8 on what the Vatican has termed a pilgrimage in the footsteps of the Apostle Paul, known as Saul of Tarsus before he converted to Christianity on the road to Damascus.
AFP