(Rome) - Pope Benedict XVI travels to Lebanon September 14-16 to deliver the apostolic exhortation, or final summary document, of the 2010 Synod on the Middle East. But the visit comes at a particularly delicate time in the region with the conflict in Syria and ongoing tensions between Israel and Iran in particular. In this Sept. 4 interview with Terrasanta.net, the Custos of the Holy Land, Father Pierbattista Pizzaballa OFM, predicts the possible outcome of the visit, the current situation in Lebanon, and why the effects of the conflict in Syria extend into the wider Middle East.Is it safe and wise for the Pope to travel to the region at this time?
The Pope's trip is absolutely safe and does not pose any problems. All the different factions and movements see the Pope's visit with a positive attitude.
How important is it for the region that the Pope's visit and deliver the apostolic exhortation at this time?
I do not believe that the apostolic exhortation will effect immediate change. Like all documents, it will have its effect over time, little by little. There are documents, such as those from the Synod [on the Middle East in 2010], that bring their contribution slowly, as people become more aware of them, especially priests.
The visit will still have a major impact on public opinion and in the media covering the visit: it will help create a more attitude towards Christians and the Church.
John Paul II called Lebanon a "message" of plurality and coexistence, but how true is this today?
As in all things, especially in the Middle East, it's never all black or all white. Lebanon has always been a small and complete model of the Middle East, although it has now changed very much. One cannot deny there are problems, dramatically shown in politics with its divisions, which seem to paralyze the country.
You have to look at life in the area. This is very different and not so negative.
It should, however, be said that the Lebanese Christian community is internally divided, making political dynamism difficult sometimes.
In short, plurality and coexistence are factors still current in Lebanese life, sometimes lived peacefully, other times with tensions.
How much of a concern are the effects of the Arab Spring on Christians in the Middle East to you as Custos?
The so-called "Arab spring" is having a disruptive effect on everyone in the Middle East, not just Christians. We can say that Christians are the litmus test, an important point of reference to understand what happens and in what sense changes are evolving.
The main concern at this time for me as Custos is for brothers in Syria and the communities entrusted to them.
Lately contacts are more difficult and the situation is deteriorating dramatically. Some of our convents and parishes are now filled with refugees who have fled from their homes, some are rendered unusable by the conflict. The situation is out of control.
Here you see that violence is never a solution and will produce very deep wounds that will be difficult to treat in the future. For these reasons, the small Christian community will certainly suffer a further reduction of its already reduced numbers.
What is your prognosis for the situation in Syria and its effect on the region's Christians?What is happening in Syria is crucial to the future of the Middle East and also for the Christian community. That conflict is perceived by all (and actually is) as the place that will determine the basis of the future of the Middle East: Shia/Sunni, Christians, West/East, opposing positions within the international community and among the Arab countries ... All these questions are now suspended, waiting to see what will happen in that country. Or rather, that country will decide many of these issues.
If there is no outside interference - as unfortunately it is feared - the Syrians will be able to piece together their country themselves. As long as this conflict is prolonged further, the longer it lasts, the more difficult it will be to heal divisions, especially at the expense of Christians, who tend to emigrate.
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“It should be some consolation for those who are so unjustly attacked to remember that it is a physical impossibility for any man to get ahead of us who stays behind to kick us.”
+Archbishop Fulton Sheen
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