Communiqué of the Monthly Meeting of the Maronite Bishops, 6th of July, 2011

As published by the Maronite Patriarchate.

On July 6, 2011, Their Excellencies the Maronite Bishops held at Bkerkeh their monthly meeting which was presided over by His Beatitude Bechara Peter Rai and with the participation of His Beatitude and Eminence Nasrallah Butros Cardinal Sfeir. They studied church and national matters. At the end of the meeting, they issued the following communiqué:




1 – The annual synod, which the Fathers held at the beginning of last month, was an occasion for the meeting of all Bishops who had come from all over the world, for praying and thinking together and taking important decisions related to the Church life and its future in Lebanon, the Patriarchal territory and countries abroad. The Fathers thank God for all the graces He bestows upon His Church and ask Him to strengthen in it the spirit of brotherhood, love and peace.


2 – The Fathers wish, for the new government to start, strengthened by the parliament vote of confidence, to treat the national and citizens’ affairs and bear its big responsibilities in this grave phase of Lebanon and the region’s history. On the internal level, it works at bringing together points of view among the Lebanese, uniting their ranks, gathering their word and treating their social, economic, political and humanitarian questions. Towards the outside, it applies itself at respecting covenants, treaties, holding to international resolutions and preserving Lebanese’s position among civilized countries.


3– The issuing of the bill of indictment by the international court, at the time when the new government was getting ready to discuss its ministerial statement, has stirred the discussion and increased the gap between the political parties in Lebanon. Thus, the Fathers appeal to all political authorities to keep up to the high democratic discussion, endeavor to unite the view , bring forth the truth and work at implementing justice which has for effect to put an end to the serial murders and to stir discord in the country.



4– Troubles and painful events still blow over a number of the region countries, causing there a number of casualties, spreading destruction, disorder and unclearness about what might come out of it as deep social and political changes. While the Fathers express their anxiety about this situation, they ask God to grant security, peace and stability to these countries. They encourage their sons and daughters to hold to their land, love their homelands and serve them, endeavor to witness for spiritual, social and humane values in the line of the special assembly of the Synod of Bishops for the Middle East. They also call upon their Lebanese sons, daughters and brothers to beware the spreading of discord to their homeland, work seriously to unite their ranks, surround their national institutions and preserve unity and common life which distinguish Lebanon, making of it “a message” of plurality, freedom and democracy for the world.


5– The Fathers bring back to mind the next general Assembly of the Bishops’ Synod in Rome about “new evangelization”. They call the committees, concerned by this subject in the eparchies to study the main lines and answer their questions within the limited period and work at renewing pastoral and spiritual life and bear the expected witness.


6– At the start of the Summer season, the Lebanese look forward to it to be a flourishing tourist season, an occasion for the return of many of their children and brothers living abroad who crave after family reunion, enjoying Lebanese climate, getting acquainted with its beautiful historical and natural places. The Fathers call upon them to visit also religious places, take the benediction of the saints’ relics and raise prayers to God so that He bestows upon our homeland and the region’s countries, prosperity and peace.

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