Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Fides Service)- The Christian community of Lebanon is vivacious and strong in faith despite many serious problems in the country and consequences of civil war, which lasted for 15 years (1975-1990). The Maronites form the largest of the 6 Catholic communities in Lebanon (the other five are Latins, Greek Catholics Syrian Catholics, Chaldean Catholics and Armenian Catholics).
“For Christians, like everyone else in Lebanon the situation is difficult although since the end of the war there is more hope for peace” Father. Maroun Abouzeid, parish priest of Notre-Dame de Maamarieh, near Sidone. “The main difficulty is economic. Average salaries are low in Lebanon about 300,000 Lebanese Lire (circa 200 dollars) and some families find it hard to put something on the table at midday and in the evening after the first ten days of the month” Father Maroun told Fides. “It is not surprising then that in recent years no less than 700,000 Lebanese have gone to live abroad. Of these 70% were Christians. This high percentage is due to the economic situation but also because Christians feel pressured from various sides to leave their homeland” Father Maroun told Fides.
He says that “emigration and the high birth rate among Muslims has changed the ethnic-religious composition of Lebanon’s population which up to a few decades ago was 50% Christian, whereas today Christians are a little more than 30%”.
Nevertheless the Maronite Church is still an important reality, which makes a fundamental contribution to society in Lebanon. “Our Patriarch, Cardinal Pierre Nasrallah Sfeir, is known and respected by all” Father Maroun told Fides. “The Church prays for and works to build peaceful coexistence among the 18 different ethnic-religious communities. All of us hope that a solution will be found for the problem of the Palestinian people, some of whom are still in Lebanese refugee camps and we want to have good relations with all neighbours”.
“In this situation we still have a good number of vocations. Moreover the Catholic Church in this country is known and appreciated for Catholic schools and universities at all levels and their high level of instruction and culture and they are attended by Muslims as well as Christians”.
To day the Maronite community as 14 dioceses in Lebanon, and some abroad (United States, Egypt, Argentina, Australia, Canada, Brazil, Syria, Terra Santa and Cyprus). “Altogether Lebanon has 13 million ex-patriots of whom 8 million are Christians mostly Maronites” Father Maroun told Fides. “Thanks to its network of dioceses all over the world the Maronite Church keeps its faithful united and the local community is a point of reference where ever they are” Father Maroun concludes. (L.M) (Agenzia Fides 2/9/2004 righe 38parole 503)
