Although nowhere near as deplorable as the recent defense of “our Muslim brothers” by Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarch Gregory III Laham, the absurd silence cloaked in this critique of the Church’s silence reveals the paralysis and fear which grips most of the Christian world.
As important as this WCC & UN conference may be, and how ever well-intentioned the admonitions of Bishop Angaelos, it is noteworthy that absolutely nowhere in this story is there any mention of the actual cause of the “decline of Christianity in the Middle East.” Why, judging from this news story and His Grace’s words, the cause could be drought brought on by Climate Change. Or it could be lack of job opportunities. Or it could be falling oil prices.
The early 21st century is already drenched in blood and carnage by the global Muslim jihad against Christians, yet you don’t get a word of that from this news report, nor from most Christian leaders.
The shameful irony of Bishop Angaelos’ words is that, unless his remarks have been heavily edited, his condemnation of the Church’s silence perpetuates that very silence when it comes to naming the existential cause of the “decline of Christians in the Middle East”: Islam and jihad in the name of Allah.
“Bishop Angaelos: The Church’s silence has contributed to the decline of Christianity in the Middle East,” Christianity Today, January 19, 2016:
The Church’s silence on refugees has been a contributing factor to the decline of Christianity in the Middle East, the General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the UK said today.
His Grace Bishop Angaelos addressed a conference hosted by the World Council of Churches and the UN to speak of practical ways leaders can respond to the refugee crisis.
He joined a number of other church leaders to highlight the mass exodus of Christians from their homeland in the Middle East.
“Where there was once a 25 per cent Christian population in the Middle East it is now around 5 per cent, and tragically 4 per cent of those 5 per cent are in Egypt,” he said.
“Our silence as Churches, nations, and as a world community, has been a contributing factor to this,” said Angaelos in an impassioned plea.
“We have lowered the threshold of human dignity; if people are not dying then it has become acceptable… yet it is up to us to defend those whose God-given rights and freedoms are violated.”
He called on the Church, as “the largest NGO in the world”, to work “in collaboration” in responding to this situation.
Christians are not registering as refugees in UNHCR camps and a result “become doubly disadvantaged: persecuted for their religion, Christian or otherwise, and then also by not having equal access to international schemes”, Angaelos said, reiterating a point he has made a number of times in the past.
“We need a unified and unifying approach, to work collaboratively and to understand that we have a role and responsibility to act.
“This is an ideal opportunity for us to prove that we can effectively and collaboratively respond to this situation, and make a real difference.”
He concluded by saying, “the message of this gathering to those suffering can be summarised in the words of Revelation 1:9: ‘We share with you in Jesus the persecution and the kingdom and the patient endurance.’”
Baucent says
I think we should “cut a little slack” for the Eastern Church leaders as their flock and family live under the boot of Islam. Anything these leaders say by way of blaming Islam or muslims will bring retribution onto the Christians in the middle east.
Remember the threats towards Pope Benedict when he dared to refer to Islam as war like. I prefer to aim my criticism at the Western Church leaders who could be much more vocal in identifying why Christians are leaving the middle east.
Fr. Basil says
You took the words right out of my mouth.
Rosewood11 says
There’s a difference between keeping discreet silence as the better part of valor, and actively supporting muslims who walk into your church, and blow themselves up at the consecration. The sad part of all of this is that we sometimes get what we claim–and the Eastern Church has a nasty history or claiming affinity with their “muslim brothers,” who murder them, rape their women, and cut their children in half. Until the Eastern Church gets smart enough to repudiate islam in general, and fight along with those who would defend them, they are going to continue to suffer horribly. Like another article here asks about the muslim rapists running rampant in Europe: WHERE ARE THE CHRISTIAN MEN!?! There comes a point where you stop turning the other cheek, and start fighting back. Vladimir Putin (God love him) only has so many planes!!!
Pong says
Rosewood.
As you mentioned Putin, I asked myself: why with 20% of moslem population in Rassia, moslems are not behaving as bad, as in the West, where their numbers are much lower ? One reason is historical, as they have lived among non-moslems and mostly atheists. But there is another reason. Russian men would defend their women. Clashes between moslems and russians have been going on all over the country and russians in most instances stay firm, despite authorities often taking the moslem’s side. Feminization of men has not been as popular in Russia as it has been in the West. “men don’t cry” is still one of the main postulate of bringing up boys. As a result, with shameful exception of Beslan, russian men act with force and moslems understand that.
In S-E Asia men behave in similar fashion and as a result, moslems positions in Thailand or Burma are much weaker, then can be expected despite their higher numbers, then in most European countries.
Government policies can take moslems problem only so far. The “condition on the ground” is of primary importance of how far moslems prepared to go.
gravenimage says
Pong wrote:
As you mentioned Putin, I asked myself: why with 20% of moslem population in Rassia, moslems are not behaving as bad, as in the West, where their numbers are much lower ?
……………………….
Pong, have you forgotten the horror of Beslan, where Muslims took 1,100 people as hostages at a school–mostly children–and caused the death of at least 385 people?
Have you forgotten the Moscow Theater hostage crisis, where Muslims took 850 hostages and ultimately murdered 133 of them?
How about the the Domodedovo International Airport bombing, a suicide bombing in Moscow’s busiest airport, which killed 37 people and injured 173 others?
There have been other Jihad terror attacks, as well.
If this is Muslims *not* behaving badly, then I shudder to think what it would be like if they decided to start…
Sam says
He is wrong Christians in Egypt make up between 10 to 15 percent still. In Iraq and Syria yes he is correct about the decile because of ISIL in particular.
TheOldOligarch says
Yes, and he’s saying the overall number across the middle east is 5% when you include the countries from which Christians have virtually vanished.
Sam says
How can can three quarters of Copts leave Egypt and there are 10 to 20 million Copts World wide and most live in Egypt and 2 million in the diaspora. His statistics is incorrect even pope shenouda before he passed away said the Copts in Egypt are over 12 million of a population of 80 million there 10 to 15 percent. Someone has made an error.
Atheist7 says
1. If the leaders of the Coptic Christians were to accurately identify the problem as Islamic hostility and come down hard on Islam, how long would they stay as leaders – or stay alive for that matter? Might not it be like a hypothetical conversation between a prison guard at Auschwitz and his SS commander:
Guard: “I don’t killing Jews in the Gas Chamber”. SS Commander: “Then perhaps you should join them”
2. Several months ago in the United States, some brain damaged white guy walked into a black church and killed several people. Since these people were trained to emulate Jesus, they all collectively said: “We forgive him”. Thus effectively taking on the “submissive victim role.” For the Christian, we have forgiven our enemy and now we must move on. That is the end of it.
Muhammad will also take on the submissive victim role, but that is NOT the end of it. Recall Muhammad: “War is deceit”. Thus pretend to be a victim when you are weak – and then when you are strong – Attack!
Pong says
Surprisingly he didn’t say that the jews and Israel are at fault for decline of Christianity in the ME. It would have go well before Word Council of Churches and UN.
Dan says
He could not have mention Islam. His people would ONLY suffer more if he does. I think he did the wise thing to do. It might sound unfortunate, but, i am from Egypt and i know it to be true. Thanks Robert
Knight says
It is sad that the Roman Catholic (Western) Church and (even) Protestant Churches don’t do more to defend Eastern Christians. But then (again) the Roman Church never really cared if the Eastern Church survived.
Angemon says
Two words: First Crusade.
Peggy says
Yeah but that was only in the beginning. Eastern church became a target later on. It only got worse from there.
Let’s look at WW2
http://www.fantompowa.net/Flame/yugoslavia_catholic_church.htm
It’s time all Christians united or perished inder Islam.
Matthieu Baudin says
They are a captive people, so I expect we’ll just have to fill in the gaps when these public pronouncements are issued by their community and church leadership. There are plenty amongst the middle eastern Christian diaspora who can come forward to do complete these messages.
Matthieu Baudin says
(corrected entry)
They are a captive people, so I expect we’ll just have to fill in the gaps when these public pronouncements are issued by their community and church leadership. There are plenty amongst the middle eastern Christian diaspora who can come forward to complete these messages.
mortimer says
Words critical of Islam are punishable by death according to Sharia law. No repentance is allowed. No may say, ‘I didn’t mean to insult Islam’ and then be forgiven.
So church leaders in the East find their words carefully. Even with CAREFULLY worded statements, the PERCEIVED INSULT TO ISLAM CAN GET THEM KILLED…or else many INNOCENT CHRISTIANS CAN BE HURT OR KILLED.
We in the West must use our freedom to speak out for them. Obama is not doing so and condemning those who find fault with the real problem…ISLAM ITSELF.
No one today has an excuse for NOT KNOWING ISLAM IS A DEATH CULT. It’s 15 years after 9-11. EVERYONE should know about Islam.
There is NO excuse.
gravenimage says
The shameful irony of Bishop Angaelos’ words is that, unless his remarks have been heavily edited, his condemnation of the Church’s silence perpetuates that very silence when it comes to naming the existential cause of the “decline of Christians in the Middle East”: Islam and jihad in the name of Allah.
……………………
Alas, this is true. Almost no one is telling the full truth about the threat Christians in Dar-al-Islam are under.
Michael says
What should be done?
Let’s do it.
Talking isn’t enough
Jeeez this is so serious wtf?!!!
Jerry says
When Israeli Jews defend themselves against Jihadi Muslim terrorists and murderers the “Christian” Europeans accuse them of “War Crimes” or “Using Excessive Force”.
When Muslims attack Jews and capture their land as in 1948 with East Jerusalem and “Gush Etzion” the “Christians” did not seem to have any problem with that. When the Jews recaptured that land the were and still are accused by the “Christians” of “Illegal Occupation”.
For many years Israeli Christians felt coerced to identify with their Muslim neighbours rather than with the Jew.
Only now, after rise of Daesh/IS and their genocide against Christians and Yazidis, some Israeli Christians started waking up and are joining the Israel Defence Force in ever increasing numbers because some have started to realise that unles theydefend themselves against Muslim aggression and genocidal intentions they are doomed to perish.
Not long ago when the Serbs were defending themselves against Islamic Jihadi agression the USA and Europe bombed them to smitherins instead of supporting them. How fickle can they be? Islam is always on the prowl for relatively easy targets in their pursuit of their quest for world domination with a declared and well documented genocidal agenda against all non-Muslims.