Persecuted Christians in the Middle East are praying for the Western World. This surprising information was given by a Maronite Rite Catholic priest, Fr Samer Nassif, to an audience of over 50, following a Saturday Midday Mass at the Church of the English Martyrs in York.

He described the exodus of Christians from the Middle East and their persecution but urged that they return. In Iraq, the Prime Minister recognises Christians have a moderating influence. The Catholic bishops of the Middle East are playing a vital role as intermediaries between opposing factions. Christians, Fr Nassif said, are gaining credibility because of their willingness to forgive their persecutors and these Christians are the ones who see the secularised and materialistic Western World in need of prayer. Lebanon, especially, he said is outstanding as all factions now want peace and reject arms. As a result, the Feast Day of the Immaculate Heart of Mary has become the date for a National Day of Prayer for Peace in Lebanon and because Mary is honoured also by Jews and Muslims. Fr Nassif concluded the Question and Answer session by singing the Lourdes Hymn in Aramaic, to which the audience took up the refrain ‘Salaam, Salaam, Salaam Maryam’.

Tony Pelton