Not time to topple

Pope calls on Syria to address citizens' legitimate demands

Demonstrators gather during a protest against Syria's President Bashar al-Assad near Homs Feb. 13. Intense artillery and rocket fire by government forces Feb. 11 on residential areas in Homs left at least 200 people dead, opposition activists said.

Here is a Catholic News Service story telling of one voice calling for keeping the Syrian president in power because of the risk of civil war if he goes.

As a sectarian conflict in Syria intensified, Pope Benedict XVI called on all Syrians to begin a process of dialogue and reminded the government of its duty to recognize its citizens' legitimate demands.

In Beirut, the patriarch of the Syriac Catholic Church warned against toppling Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, calling for dialogue to solve the crisis in the country.

For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.