Many are old, some are fat, but the bishops and patriarchs of the Middle East are flexing their muscles in Rome at the regional Synod over the next two weeks. Pope Benedict has gathered religious leaders to find ways to stem the exodus of Christians who now number just 15 million in the Middle East against 215 million Muslims.
Even though Christian churches in the region have had a far greater voice than their numbers warrant – and in places like Lebanon still retain considerable power – the timing of this council is unfortunate. Not only do more peace talks between Israel and Palestine look like failing, but there is a perceived lack of success against the Taliban, an apparent muddle left in Iraq, political ramifications against Iran’s determination to possess a nuclear bomb, new oil contract considerations and the continuation of the American Evangelical support for Israeli settlers in the West Bank.
