In a politically fragile and uncertain context for Syria, the Bishop of Augsburg, Mgr Bertram Meier, President of the Commission for the Universal Church of the German Bishops’ Conference, arrived in Damascus yesterday. He travelled overland from Beirut to Syria, and despite the security risks that such a journey entails, Mgr Meier is bringing the solidarity of the Catholic Church in Germany to the Christian minority. “The focus of my trip to Syria is solidarity with the Christian minority. I want this to be a sign that Syrian Christians are not forgotten internationally. They can count on the support of the Catholic Church in Germany. Especially now, at a time when uncertainty and fear characterise the daily lives of so many people, it is important for me to come to Syria in person”, the bishop said. He then recalled that “like other religious minorities, Christians have been part of this country for nearly two thousand years. Due to the Islamist transitional government, the ongoing violence and the lack of prospects, they feel threatened. If this trend continues, the emigration of Christians from Syria could increase further. However, Syria must not become a country without Christians. This would be an immense loss not only for Arab Christianity, but also for Syrian culture and society”.