ASIA/LEBANON - Patriarch Rai accuses the Lebanese politicians: "You have betrayed the Constitution"

Monday, 10 November 2014

Bkerké (Agenzia Fides) - The Patriarch of Antioch of the Maronites, Cardinal Bechara Boutros Rai, launched accusations against Lebanese politicians, accusing them of betraying the Constitution and aiming for the power vacuum and paralysis of state institutions to serve petty personal interests. The accusation was expressed by the Patriarch today, November 10, at the opening of the Eighth Assembly of the Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Lebanon. The Primate of the Maronite Church, who had just returned to his country from a pastoral visit in Australia, said that the Lebanese communities in the diaspora feel pain and suffering for the state of decay achieved by the Country because of the insanity of the ruling class.
In Lebanon, the office of President of the Republic, which is reserved by law to a Maronite Christian, has been vacant for more than five months because the dominant political blocs in the Country are not able to find a consensus on the possible candidates, since May 25 when the mandate of the former Chief of Staff Michel Suleiman expired. Last week, Parliament decreed the extension of its mandate for more than two and a half years, appealing to the institutional paralysis experienced regarding the election of the President and the state of emergency on insecurity that marks the Country of the Cedars, always at risk of being sucked into conflicts that are tearing the Middle East region apart.
The political forces for some time have not even found an agreement on the electoral law that should allow the vote and the creation of a new parliamentary assembly. The extension of the parliamentary mandate crystallizes the deadlock, certifies the suspension of the exercise of democracy and according to Patriarch Rai is a violation of the Constitution. As reported by local sources, Cardinal Rai has also reported that the Church "will double efforts" to support the Lebanese families during this difficult time, calling on civil society to implement solidarity dynamics without counting too much on state institutions, considered fugitives. (GV) (Agency Fides 10/11/2014)


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