BEIRUT: A gathering of Catholic patriarchs in the Middle East urged Christians Thursday to hold onto their lands and holy places despite the ongoing popular uprisings in the Arab world, which have raised fears about the presence of Christians in the region. They also called for a unified Easter holiday to boost Christian unity.

Maronite Patriarch Beshara Rai, who chaired the four-day conference of Catholic Patriarchs in the Orient at the Maronite patriarchate’s seat in Bkirki, called for cooperation between Catholic and Orthodox churches and for “a dialogue of truth and life with Muslim brothers, Jews and other sons of Asian and African religions who are living with us in our countries."

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