Yesterday, in Berlin, the president of the German Bishops’ Conference, Card. Karl Lehmann, made an appeal for the Christians in the Middle East. The 2007 round of "Solidarity for Persecuted and Oppressed Christians" was dedicated to them, and in particular, to those in Israel, Egypt, Palestine and Iraq. In relation to that, during the event, the cardinal presented a study by the Bishops Conference. "Without the solidarity and the support by sister Churches abroad, the Christians in this region will not be able to survive, in the medium run", stated Lehmann. The cardinal warned of generalizations on the situation of the Christians, owing to the different political and social conditions of the countries: "In general, the Christians in the region have difficulties and disadvantages. For this reason, they leave their own countries. In a few places, the oldest Christian communities are close to the end". Therefore, this is the reason for the appeal for "prayer, for financial and material support”, and for sensitizing public opinion. "Dedication to all the oppressed and the humiliated, independently of religion, is an obligation for the Christians", stated the cardinal. "As Church in a country in which the Christians live in freedom and security, the Christians are also asked to stand by their brothers and sisters by faith, which are oppressed by reasons of faith".” “
