ASIA/LEBANON - The Heads of Churches: the protests risk being "infiltrated"

Tuesday, 1 September 2015

Beirut (Agenzia Fides) - Popular protests against the political class that for weeks have been shaking Lebanon, represent a legitimate expression of "democratic" pressure against factions and discredited politicians, largely responsible for the crisis in the Country. But at the same time "the use of the square hides dangers, particularly when tensions are exaggerated and the flames surrounding Lebanon threaten to undermine its stability". This is the message which emerged from the summit of the Heads of Churches and Christian communities hosted yesterday at the Patriarchal Maronite See in Bkerké.
In the text released after the meeting, sent to Agenzia Fides, the Patriarchs and other Christian leaders put the spotlight on the risk of "infiltration of troublemakers among peaceful demonstrators", denouncing the acts of violence and vandalism which already occurred during the events organized in the center of Beirut and invite everyone to favor "national interest to private interests, to prevent Lebanon from sinking into the unknown and to protect it from the tragedies that surround us, and that trouble our people".
Regarding the institutional paralysis and political struggles, Christian leaders had harsh words on the "impotence of the ruling class, unable to guarantee the most basic services that are needed to ensure a dignified life". The spiritual leaders of Churches and Christian communities in Lebanon have expressed net and explicit considerations about the "roadmap" that politicians must follow to overcome the crisis. According to the Patriarchs and other Christian leaders, one must begin with the election of the Head of State "according to constitutional rules", putting an end to the deadlock and the vetoes that have left the highest State office vacant since May 2014. Leaders who attended the "summit" stressed firmly that the choice of the new President must precede the calling of new elections, as opposed to those who argue that the institutional crisis can be overcome only by dissolving the Parliament and calling the people to polls. The government in office - the message reads - must remain in office at least until a President is elected. And in the future, a new government will have to handle the electoral and institutional reforms to prevent further paralysis and power vacuums.
The meeting of Bkerké was attended, among others, by Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros Rai, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch Yohanna X, Armenian Apostolic Catholicos Aram I, Melkite Patriarch Gregoire III, Syriac Catholic Patriarch Ignatius Youssef III and Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, Apostolic Nuncio.
Representatives of the Muslim communities in Lebanon should have taken part in the meeting. So far the reasons that led to the annulment of the Islamic-Christian summit have not been officially provided. According to Lebanese media, the meeting was postponed due to the lack of participation by some Muslim leaders. (GV) (Agenzia Fides 01/09/2015)


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