WASHINGTON — “Sectarian violence, of whatever religious or ideological type, if not stopped, will derail Syria’s full integration into the community of nations,” said Bishop A. Elias Zaidan, in response to the suicide bombing on the Antiochian Church of St. Elias in Damascus on Sunday that killed at least 22 and injured dozens more. As chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace, he called for prayers and urged peace, security, and national reconciliation in Syria:  

“As we learn more about the deadly suicide bombing attack in Damascus over the weekend, we are reminded of a sobering fact: international vigilance for the safeguarding of Christians, Alawites, and other religious minorities must remain strong, working with all men and women of good will in Syria for the consolidation of a political transition that promotes the common good of all Syrians. We stand in solidarity with the Antiochian Church in Syria during this difficult time. 

“We urge the United States—which lifted Syria’s sanctions to allow for the country’s economic development—to continue working with Syria’s authorities in support of religious liberty, peace, security, and national reconciliation in the country. Sectarian violence, of whatever religious or ideological type, if not stopped, will derail Syria’s full integration into the community of nations.  

“I call for ardent prayers for the safety of our Christian brothers and sisters in Syria, as well as for the country’s development into a society that fosters security, development, and prosperity for all its citizens.”