Paris – Sanad Sahelia – Monsignor Hugues de Wilmotte, Director General of the French association L’Œuvre d’Orient, warned of the unprecedented existential challenges facing Christians of the East, threatening the continuity of their historical presence in their homelands. Chief among these challenges are increasing migration, economic crises, and wars that have afflicted the region for years. He stressed that safeguarding the Christian presence in the Holy Land and the Middle East is no longer merely a local issue, but has become “a shared ecclesial and humanitarian responsibility.”
In a special interview marking the 170th anniversary of the association’s founding, de Wilmotte reviewed the journey of Œuvre d’Orient, established in 1856 under the name Œuvre des Écoles d’Orient. He explained that its mission has remained “deeply faithful to its founding intuition”, namely supporting Eastern Christians through education. “The founders believed from the very beginning that forming minds is the first act of solidarity”, he said, a conviction that continues to shape the institution’s core mission today.
Education, he emphasized, has remained the cornerstone of the association’s work, as it “contributes to building stable societies and curbing migration”. Yet, he noted, the crises that have swept the region have compelled the association to expand its scope to include healthcare, social assistance, and emergency humanitarian relief, particularly in countries where state capacity to provide basic services has diminished.
De Wilmotte added that Œuvre d’Orient also supports long-term projects such as building schools, hospitals, and social centers, alongside preserving both tangible and intangible Christian heritage, which he described as “the living memory of Eastern Christian communities.” He pointed out that the association has developed an organized field presence through local offices and young volunteers dispatched to supported communities, while also working to convey the voice of Eastern Christians to decision-makers in Europe and international institutions.
Speaking about the current reality of Christians in the region, de Wilmotte described the situation as “deeply worrying,” noting that political, economic, and military crises “weaken entire societies”, with Christians often bearing their consequences disproportionately. “The greatest challenge today is migration”, he said. “In several countries, ancient Christian communities face the risk of disappearing due to the absence of economic and security prospects”.
He affirmed that the association’s primary goal is to enable people to remain in their homeland with dignity, through support for education, healthcare, and employment opportunities. “Behind every school that opens or clinic that is supported, there is a family choosing to stay,” he added. Despite the difficult circumstances, he expressed admiration for what he called “the resilience and witness of Eastern Christians,” considering them “makers of peace and dialogue” even amid wars and crises they did not choose.
The Director General of Œuvre d’Orient addressed a direct message to Christians in Europe and the United States, affirming that Eastern Christians “are not merely communities in distress, but a richness for the entire Church”. He stressed that the required support must not be limited to prayer, however essential, but must be accompanied by “tangible solidarity” through backing educational, healthcare, and social projects, and by raising public awareness of their reality.
He also called on Western churches and communities to broaden awareness of the plight of Eastern Christians within parishes, schools, and universities, and to bring their voice to political leaders. “International mobilization can make a real difference”, he said. He underscored the importance of building direct relationships with Eastern Christians through volunteering, exchanges, and twinning programs, noting that such experiences “leave a profound impact on the young participants”.
Looking ahead, de Wilmotte identified three major challenges facing the association in the coming years: first, the accelerating pace of Christian migration from the Middle East, making support for those who choose to remain “an urgent priority”; second, safeguarding education and heritage in conflict zones, since “it is not only about buildings, but about the living memory of entire civilizations”; and third, the difficulty of sustaining international attention amid multiple global humanitarian crises, which requires “broadening the support base and strengthening awareness efforts”.
In conclusion, de Wilmotte delivered a spiritual message to Eastern Christians, expressing “deep appreciation and enduring closeness”, affirming that “their fidelity, courage, and hope constitute a testimony for the whole Church”. He added that their presence “is essential in their countries; they are not only heirs of history, but also bearers of the future”.
Recalling Pope Leo XIII’s call for “a peace stripped of weapons and devoid of violence, humble and persevering”, he stressed that true peace rests on respect for state sovereignty and international law. He concluded: “Let them know that we stand by them for the long term, with determination and confidence. My regular visits to these countries are a tangible expression that we do not forget them and remain at their side”.