Policy & Advocacy
Backgrounder on Christians in the Middle East, March 2017
Christians in the Middle East Backgrounder, March 2017
Christians have been indigenous to the Middle East since Pentecost and form a diverse mosaic of communities: Catholic Churches (Latin, Maronite, Melkite, Armenian, Chaldean, Coptic, Syrian), Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, the Assyrian Church of the East, and Protestant groups. They are integrated into regional societies rather than isolated enclaves and historically contributed to science, education, philosophy, and medicine.
Major trends and pressures
- Political instability and conflict have amplified risks to Christians, who face violence, forced displacement, and social exclusion.
- Rise of extremist interpretations of religion and politics has increased pressure on religious minorities.
- Emigration and brain drain are accelerating as Christians seek safety, education, and economic opportunity abroad, fragmenting local communities.
Country snapshots
- Iraq: Longstanding Christian presence was decimated after 2003 by sectarian exclusion and the rise of ISIS, which committed mass killings, sexual slavery, forced conversions, and asset seizures; survivors call for rule of law and inclusive rebuilding.
- Syria: Christians are threatened by ISIS and the broader civil war; millions are internally displaced or refugees, with many seeking refuge in Lebanon and Jordan; Pope Francis described the persecution as tantamount to genocide.
- Egypt: The Coptic Orthodox Church is the largest regional Christian body; Copts face discrimination in education, employment, business ownership, church construction, and are subject to attacks and harassment amid political uncertainty.
- Holy Land: Arab Christians in East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza endure economic and movement restrictions from the occupation and conflict, contributing to emigration.
Church responses and advocacy
- Pope Francis and local bishops emphasize solidarity, interfaith fraternity, and protection of minorities, calling for peace and international action to halt atrocities.
- U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) stresses concern for all victims, urges U.S. leadership for a two-state solution in the Holy Land, and supports ceasefires, negotiations, humanitarian aid, and efforts to build inclusive societies in Syria and Iraq.
Requested policy actions
- Support the U.N.-brokered peace process for Syria.
- Exercise strong U.S. leadership to promote Middle East peace and stability.
- Resettle a fair share of the most vulnerable refugees of all faiths, prioritizing victims of genocide and atrocities.
- Strengthen rule of law and equal citizenship protections for minorities through U.S. assistance to policing, judiciary, and local governance.
- Increase humanitarian and development funding to refugees and host communities, including trusted faith-based NGOs like Catholic Relief Services and local Caritas agencies.