Massive Exodus of Syria Christians, says priest as two-thirds of Christians flee Aleppo

Franciscan priest in Aleppo Fr. Ibrahim Alsabagh has been working in northern Syria for two years now and has witnessed the worsening state of the country's war. He says the conditions in Aleppo has just gone from bad to worst, describing the eerie silence of the streets where almost everyone who were able to already left.

The priest told Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) and described the worsened conditions caused by the ongoing Syrian war. He said that so many rockets and bombs have fallen on churches, mosques, schools, and hospitals that structures have been partially or entirely destroyed and so many people killed or severely injured.

"Whoever can escape, does so. On Sunday the roads out of the city were packed with refugees," he explained about the deafening silence on the streets. "Those who remain behind are the poorest of all, the ones who cannot even afford to look for a place of safety," he added. 

In a report from Catholic Post, Chaldean Catholic Bishop Antoine Audo told reporters that Christians in Aleppo are now estimated to be only at 500,000, down from 1.5 million Christians in 2011. The war-torn country is besieged on all sides by the forces of President Bashar al-Assad, Islamic militants, and even by the Islamic State terrorists. 

Alsabagh observed that incidences of nervous breakdown are on the rise and that the war has caused so many psychological illnesses. He also noted that through ACN's assistance, the Church has been able to provide food, clothing, medicine, personal hygiene items, and other things to those affected by the civil war. He then appealed, "But now we really need any outside help we can get. We are in the greatest of need."

The Franciscan priest draws strength by comparing the situation in Aleppo with that of St. Paul in the Acts of the Apostles. He referred to the biblical story wherein Paul and Silas were imprisoned because of their faith and escaped prison because of their prayers. Alsabagh thinks that's why he must remain in Aleppo — so that he can give a Christian witness. "My faith and my priestly vocation have grown here in Aleppo. I pray a great deal before the Tabernacle, that the Lord will support us," he told ACN.