Bishop Romanos Hannat Interviewed in an-Nahar

 Arabic original here.

Greek Orthodox Patriarchal Vicar to an-Nahar: It is the duty of the state to protect Christians and I do not take back my words.

Bishop Romanos Hannat, patriarchal vicar of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and all the East, stated that Syrian Christians want the Syrian state to bear its responsibility for protecting them and to undertake the necessary measures for this, explaining that "we do not want and are not seeking outside reassurances."

Speaking with an-Nahar in Damascus, he said that, "Our hand is always extended to participate with all elements of society to build up Syria, and this has not happened yet."

Here is the text of the discussion:

Sayyidna, are you happy with the results of the investigations being conducted by the Interior Ministry about the suicide bombing that bloodied the Church of Mar Elias?

We have not yet officially seen the investigations that took place and we have not received any report from the Interior Ministry because until now there has not been any communication with them. We have only received the news that is circulating on social media which everyone has seen.

Have you received and guarantees or reassurances that Christians will be protected and be able to worship freely?

In his speech, His Beatitude [Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East John X Yazigi] pointedly stated in all simplicity that this is the duty of the state. We do not want and are not seeking outside reassurances because we have a state and when we say that the state bears responsibility, it means that we do not want any outside reassurances. Rather, we want the Syrian state to take the necessary measures. As you have heard, the authorities have started taking measures and it may take some time. Therefore, we place all responsibility in the hands of the state to take the necessary measures, without looking to the outside world.

You have said on more than one occasion that "our hand is extended to the government." What response have you received?

When His Beatitude says that our hand is outstretched, he means being ready to cooperate. This applies to all public life, with the aim of working to rebuild Syria, which has suffered greatly and has had enough. Our hand is always extended to participate with all elements of society to build up Syria, and this has not happened yet. Syrian society is not one color, but many-colored. To achieve a beautiful painting, all colors must be included, not just black or white, but this has not happened yet. It requires listening, so that we don't reach a stage where some ask why they have been excluded. I am a Syrian just like the other Syrians. The issue is simple.

Sayyidna, a debate erupted on social media over a talk you had with a delegation from the governorate about the number of children that Christian families have. You were accused of marginalizing Muslim victims and some described Patriarch Yazigi's speech as sectarian and inflammatory. How do you respond?

The patriarch was very clear and very transparent in his speech. His speech was that of a father and not of a politician.

His speech was paternal and patriotic, in all simplicity. Reading the speech in its words, it only has this loving, open meaning, while interpreting the speech is a personal matter.

As for the issue of children, it is very simple. Syrian Christian couples have one or two children. If that child is lost, the family has no one to console them, while the family that has ten children and loses one of them still has nine to console them. I hope that no family, large or small, loses a member. This is the essence of what I said and I do not take it back. My words embody humanity in every sense of the word, but how others interpret the issue is none of my business. I respect the opinions of everyone. Others need to respect our opinion. I was saying this while there were victims on the ground in front of me. I was walking over pieces of flesh and human remains. I lived through it and we picked up human remains with our own hands. We pray that God will have mercy on those martyrs who offered their life for the sake of man, for the sake of Christians throughout the world, and for the sake of every person who desires to live in simplicity, calm and peace. This is what we hope the state will undertake to achieve, and we have full confidence.

What message do you address to Syrians in general and Christians in particular?

I do not wish to address my words to the Christian community. I address my words to Syrians. I only wish to speak as a Syrian person. Every person is free in his belief. Brothers in a single house do not all bear the same name. Each one has his own existence and his own importance. My message is to all Syrians and I speak as a Syrian: let's dispense with particular discourse and let all our discourse be national, for we exist in this country as Syrians. Let us all be brothers. Nations are not built without a national discourse.