Policy & Advocacy
Backgrounder on Christians in the Middle East, August 2010
Background on Christians in the Middle East
Christians have been indigenous to the Middle East since Pentecost and form a diverse mosaic of communities including Catholic, Oriental Orthodox, Eastern Orthodox, the Assyrian Church of the East, and Protestant groups. They have historically contributed to science, philosophy, medicine, health care, and education and frequently serve broader populations through hospitals and schools. The seven Catholic Churches in the region are the Latin, Maronite, Melkite, Armenian, Chaldean, Coptic, and Syrian Churches, whose sizes and geographic distributions vary widely.
Main pressures and trends
Rising economic hardship, political instability, and extremism over the past decade have intensified pressures on Christians. Discrimination limits access to education, employment, business ownership, and church construction. Extremists view Christians as aligned with the West and target them for harassment, kidnapping, violence, and murder. These pressures have driven disproportionate emigration by Christians, creating a regional brain drain and the risk that indigenous Christian cultures may dwindle or disappear.
Country snap shots
- Iraq: Christian numbers fell sharply after 2003 due to violence, persecution, and displacement. Christians made up a significant share of refugees and fear the new political order may not fully protect religious liberty.
- Palestine and Gaza: The Israeli-Palestinian conflict and occupation restrict movement, damage the economy, and worsen humanitarian conditions, prompting Christian emigration.
- Regional pattern: In many countries Christians live peacefully with Muslim majorities but face episodic discrimination and targeted violence in contexts where Islam is the state religion or where extremists gain influence.
Vatican and Church response
Pope Benedict XVI convened a Special Assembly for the Middle East of the Synod of Bishops in October 2010 to strengthen Catholic identity and ecclesial communion and to address pastoral and political challenges. The Synod document highlights the effects of occupation in Palestinian territories and the acute vulnerability of Christians in Iraq. Local bishops and church institutions continue pastoral, educational, and humanitarian work to sustain Christian presence.
USCCB position and action requested
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops urges strong U.S. leadership to promote a two-state solution in the Holy Land, protect religious freedom, and support a responsible transition in Iraq that minimizes human suffering and stabilizes the region. The USCCB calls for policies that promote peace, protect minorities, and address the humanitarian and refugee crises.