I have just returned from Dumfries and Galloway, and missed the debate in Parliament yesterday. I am not sure I have formed an opinion over what happened. Those of you, who know a little of my politics will not be surprised that I did manage a flicker of a smile over the discomfort caused to the Rt. Hon. David Cameron.

However, I have been to Syria. I went, with my wife, and a group of Anglican and Orthodox pilgrims in 2007. (Time flies does it not). We were guests of Orthodox bishops and their communities. In common with other Christian minority groups in the wider Middle Eastern region, our hosts spoke very positively about their experiences of the hospitality offered by their government, and the protection offered to them. President Assad was in power then as well as now. We chatted at length about their fears that at less tolerant Islamic regime would mean the end of the Christianity in the holy lands. This does not seem too much like hyperbole now. I do not know enough to comment about whether the ancient Christian communities in Syria were too close to Assad or turned aside at atrocities his regime committed. I am concerned at what might be for the Christian communities in Syria if their president is overthrown by the rebels aided by the west. This is not to say that I am pro-Assad at all. Western Intervention in the Middle East has led to the exodus of Christians from the area. The world would be a poorer place in there was to be no Christian presence in Damascus on a street called Straight.

This is not of course to say that the suffering of ancient Christian communities is a reason for western concern or action. Indeed such intervention can add to the persecutions faced by such groups. It should make those of us who are Christian think though.

I trained for ordination from 1999-2001 at Queen’s in Birmingham. One of the most significant lectures I heard was by Tissa Balasuriya, a Sri Lankan theologian, who sadly died earlier this year. In that lecture, he reminded us that when as Christians we receive communion, we do so in company with the world wide church. That means receiving alongside me is someone from Asia, Africa, Latin America. There would be a big gap therefore if alongside Americans, Brazilians, Cambodians, Spaniards, there were no Christians from Syria.

My hope is for peace and for the flourishing of this ancient Christian community, which is one of God’s gifts for the world.