The Australian Lebanese Cultural Union (ALCU) has issued a public statement condemning the recent suicide bombing of St Elias Church in Syria, describing it as a “barbaric assault” on a place of worship and a direct attack on the nation’s shared cultural and religious identity.
The statement, addressed to His Eminence Sayedna Basilios, was signed by Dr Abraham Constantin, who leads the ALCU’s Continental Council. Dated 23 June 2025, the letter follows international outrage over the bombing that targeted the historic 8th-century church in the Damascus suburb of Dweila.
“We strongly condemn the vile attack on St Elias Church in Syria,” the letter reads, “a sacred Church… standing as a symbol of Syria’s enduring Christian presence and its pluralistic heritage.”
The attack, which occurred during Sunday Mass on 22 June, claimed the lives of at least 22 worshippers and injured dozens more. According to Syrian authorities, the attacker opened fire on congregants before detonating an explosive device inside the church. Initial investigations suggest the bombing was carried out by a jihadist affiliated with Islamic State cells still active in the region. Several suspects have since been arrested.
Dr Constantin’s letter highlights the broader implications of the attack, stating that such violence is “not merely a sectarian offense, but a direct violation of human and civilisational values that bind Syrians — Christians and Muslims alike — in a shared national identity.”
The ALCU also called on the global community to stand in solidarity with Syria’s diverse population and resist the spread of sectarian hatred. “We lift our prayers for the souls of the innocent victims, and we implore God to grant peace to Syria, to protect its people from all harm, and to inspire the world’s conscience to stand firmly against this spreading darkness,” the letter concluded.
The bombing is among the deadliest attacks on a Christian site in Syria since the country’s civil war began in 2011. Christian communities, once numbering over 1.5 million, have dwindled dramatically in recent years due to conflict, persecution, and mass emigration. Human rights observers have warned of increasing threats to religious minorities amid the ongoing instability and political vacuum left by the departure of President Bashar al-Assad in late 2024.
Religious leaders across the Middle East, as well as representatives from the European Union and the United Nations, have condemned the attack and called for accountability. Local churches have also urged Syrian authorities to ensure the protection of minority groups and places of worship.
As the country continues to rebuild after years of civil war and foreign intervention, the attack on St Elias Church has reignited fears among Syria’s Christian communities, many of whom now face a renewed wave of uncertainty.
The Australian Lebanese Cultural Union’s statement echoes those concerns while reaffirming the importance of interfaith unity and cultural resilience in the face of violence.
