Syrian
bishop reacts to monastery destruction
(Vatican
Radio) The Chaldean Bishop of Aleppo Antoine Audo, on Friday (21 August) gave
his reaction to the destruction of an ancient Catholic monastery in the Syrian
town of Qaryatain by so-called Islamic State militants. The monastery
dates back to the 5th century after Christ, and is located in central Homs
province. Bishop Audo said the IS group wanted to send a message of “violence
and intolerance” by destroying this symbol of Christianity and encourage
Syria's Christians to flee their homeland. He spoke to Claire Gilbody
Dickerson.
Asked
for his reaction to the destruction of the monastery, Bishop Audo said: “As
usual for us Christians, it is a message of violence and intolerance, a message
to spread fear everywhere.”
The
destruction of the monastery comes after the IS kidnapped 250 people in
Qaryatain earlier this month , including dozens of Christians.
Referring
to the hostages’ situation, Audo said the IS had “two goals” in kidnapping
them: the first was to obtain ransom money in exchange for the hostages’
release. The second aim of IS, according the Syrian Bishop, was to “spread a
message of terror” and show people they were “powerful” and they didn’t believe
in a political solution.
In
addition, he conceded it was “possible” that the hostages could be killed,
adding that the IS has “no conscience or morality” and “they are able to do
anything”.
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