H.E. Metropolitan Mor Eustathius Matta Roham, Syrian Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East

The political issues of the Middle East are so more difficult on the people especially as they have gone unresolved for so long.   The more we advance in time, the more we see the solution slipping further from our grasp.

The need for peace is very essential in the Middle East as it can bring tranquility and harmony for society and the community.   It can stabilise the social and economical situation of the area. Consequently the Church will benefit so that it will save a lot of effort and resources from being engaged with people who are suffering and uprooted. This can be realised by building up skills and talents of the faithful and society at large.

Another issue that I see very much affecting our life is ecological change. Areas are increasingly being affected by desertification.  Sand winds are blowing into towns, there is less winter rain than of any time before, the lack of water for irrigation and the lowering of the water tables are all causing problems for the Diocese. We should be very much aware about preserving our environment and doing our best to maintain the balance with nature.  Global warming has to be put under control before the problems it brings gets out of hand.

These are important issues because they will affect the migration of people who live in these desert areas by causing them to move to areas that are more prosperous, causing further hardship on both the prosperous and deserted areas alike.  Churches, especially in the West where the power of Government is high can become involved in encouraging their governments to impose peace in the regions. Unfortunately governments look for their own interests more than in the interests of the people, preferring more achievements for themselves than thinking of sharing with others in poorer regions. 

The oil of the Middle East is very beneficial to the West. Whereas very little of its usefulness is returned to the people of the area.   Oil itself has become the reason for many wars in the area and also for bringing international forces to control the oil fields in the name of freedom and democracy to the local people.    If the Churches of the West are going to be successful they need to motivate their governments to look at the problems with the Middle East with justified eyes.

This will help solve the political conflicts and make the wealth available to both Western and Eastern countries on equal terms.  Churches in the West are not suffering from the ecological changes as much as the Middle East is suffering. I believe that we should be more aware that global warming will affect everyone, and it might be too late to do anything if the catastrophe is too great to handle.

The local churches of the Middle East have long experiences of faith since Christianity came to light in the Middle East. It has a long history of witnessing Christian faith by martyrdom and by preserving the ancient tradition in the Church. Although it had to pay a big price throughout the centuries for persecutions, but still has the strength to continue serving the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

It is very important that today we learn from those churches, the history of martyrdom and life, and the continuity of the apostolic tradition which has been handed down to us by the early Church.  I believe that churches all over the world can learn from the Middle East about the origins of our Christian traditions and wisdom, and continue to witness our Lords Gospel.