'Do not forget Syria,' says Damascus Franciscan, who sees mixed signs for nation's future

DAMASCUS, Syria (OSV News) -- The Franciscan friars in Syria are accustomed to overcoming obstacles and living in uncertain times, and now they are bracing for the new Islamic rule in the country with both "encouraging" and "worrying" signs on the horizon.

The Islamic rule is new to Syria but not new to them. In the northern Idlib province for over a decade of the rebel rule in the province, the Franciscans are the only Christian order to remain within the enclave, having formed a constructive working relationship with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the same group that toppled the Bashar al-Assad regime Dec. 8.

Now, just one month into their reign, HTS is attempting to consolidate power and in recent days have indicated that it will take up to four years before elections can be held and could take three years to draft a new constitution.

In the old town of Damascus, situated between a Sunni mosque and a Maronite church is St. Paul's Catholic Church, which serves an estimated 250 families. On the feast of the Epiphany, Jan. 6, OSV News spent an afternoon in the company of Father Firas Lutfi, custodian of the Province of St. Paul for the Franciscans of Syria, Lebanon and Jordan.

Father Lutfi reflected on this historic time for the country and why despite the current concerns, there is hope to be had for Christians in Syria.

Having grown up in Hama, a city in northern Syria famous for its waterwheels, Father Lutfi described his country as a "mosaic of differences." As an example he points to the faith of his parents -- his mother hailing from a Christian Orthodox family and his father being a Catholic.

From a young age, Father Lutfi knew he had found his calling. "Something pushed me to give all my energy and love to helping other people and glorifying the Lord," Father Lutfi said.

In his early 20s, he joined the Franciscan Custody, known for its humility and emphasis on helping the poor. "The Franciscans have a rich history dating back 800 years and at the same time have an international outreach," the friar explained, as he went on to draw a parallel between the Franciscans and life in Syria among a multitude of ethnic groups.

"I believe that life in Syria has enabled me to be dynamic in a way that has helped me preserve my identity and my faith whilst at the same time accepting others as they are," he said.

Over the past five decades, power in Syria has been concentrated in the hands of the Assad family. First with Hafez al-Assad, who in 1970 seized power from rival factions of the ruling Arab socialist Baath Party. Hafez was followed by his son, Bashar.

"This was a big mistake. Too much power in too few hands" said Father Lutfi. "I don’t have a problem if (Ahmed) al-Sharaa (leader of the Syrian transitional government) or whoever else for that matter is leader. So long as they do not claim to represent the whole of Syrian society. We need someone who guarantees participation and a constitution that considers everyone, however long it takes."

Since HTS took power in December, Father Lutfi has met with senior members of the group as well as with al-Sharaa.

"Al-Sharaa knows that if an election were held today he would almost certainly win. However in meetings that I have attended he has said that he wants to prove his worth and not impose himself on the people of Syria. That is an encouraging sign."

Meanwhile, al-Sharaa's historic affiliation with extremist groups including al-Qaida continues to be a cause for concern. This includes Christians in Syria. Despite being home to one of the oldest Christian communities in the world, just 2% of the population identifies with the faith. Before the war, it was 10%.

Speaking with OSV News, many Christians in Damascus expressed conflicting emotions about the shift in power, and Father Lutfi acknowledges that his congregation is also "extremely worried."

HTS on one hand has offered assurances toward Christians and other minority groups but on the other recent actions -- such as the presentation of an amended curriculum for education that sees a move toward a more conservative interpretation of the Quran -- will do little to calm nerves.

"Christians should arrive as a full component of society. Let's not forget that Christians have been here for over two millennia … we are not new to this land," Father Lutfi told OSV News.

If Syria is to be ruled by Islamic law, then the country could go in one of two directions, the Franciscan friar said.

"Either the constitution adopted contains a more secular interpretation of Islam, similar to that in Malaysia or Indonesia, or we end up at the extreme end of the spectrum with Iran and Afghanistan," he said.

Regardless of the outcome, Father Lutfi said Syria will remain in his homeland. "I am not here as a coincidence but as a vocational presence, to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. It is important not to have fear but to feel the radiation and beauty of the Gospel."

For Father Lutfi, the faith of martyrs is drawing inspiration for the community. In a symbolic moment in October , eight Franciscan friars and three lay Maronites -- known collectively as the 11 martyrs of Damascus -- were canonized by Pope Francis more than 160 years after their murders by Shia Muslims for refusing to renounce their Christian faith.

At Father Lutfi's parish in Damascus, there is a shrine in honor of the 11 men and as an indication of his commitment; despite being invited to the Vatican to attend the canonization, he "chose to stay here in Syria with my people in this time of need."

In the northwestern province of Idlib, previously dubbed by Reuters new agency and the BBC as Syria's "last rebel stronghold," there remain an estimated 300 Christian families of different denominations and ethnic groups. Among them are two Franciscan friars who have stood by the people.

The approach by the friars in Idlib to reach out across religious divides can be emulated across Syria, says Father Lutfi.

"The Franciscan friars in Idlib gave shelter to dozens of Muslim families who were seeking refuge in churches." The circumstances in Idlib were particularly harsh with the region being ruled by Sharia law.

"If Christianity can survive in Idlib, then it can survive anywhere," Father Lutfi said.

After 14 years of war and over 50 years of autocratic rule, Syria is a country on its knees economically, socially and politically.

There is a clear message from Father Lutfi to Catholics around the world: "Do not forget Syria. Do not leave this part of the Catholic Church alone. You have brothers and sisters in the Holy Land in Syria. Continue to offer testimony for the entire Church because we all share the same faith."