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SFEIR LEADS TALKS FOR COUNCIL OF CATHOLIC PATRIARCHS AND BISHOPS
By Maroun Khoury
Daily Star
Nov 11 2008
Lebanon
Prelate laments 'dreadful divisions' among Christians
BKIRKI: The Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Lebanon held
its 42nd session in Bkirki on Monday under the auspices of Maronite
Patriarch Nasrallah Butros Sfeir. Among those in attendance were the
catholicos-patriarch of the Armenian Catholic Church, Nerses Bedros
XIX; the papal nuncio (or Vatican ambassador) to Lebanon, Luigi Gatti;
and the council's members, including Lebanon's Catholic bishops and
head of monasteries.
In his opening speech, Sfeir expressed dismay over what he described
as the "dreadful divisions" within Lebanon's Christian community.
"Many of our sons have left their homeland because they have lost hope
in our capability to dispose of our divisions," Sfeir said. "And if
the situation remains as it is, we cannot but blame ourselves."
"But our keenness on [preserving] our inherited values and habits will
help us restore the lost hope," the patriarch added. "We will not find
in the whole world a country that looks like Lebanon, a country that
embraces members of 18 sects, who have got used to living together
in an atmosphere of cooperation, mutual respect and love."
Sfeir also criticized clashes between Lebanese University students
earlier last week.
"If we go back in time, we find that many people from the non-Christian
sects try to forget their discords, while refraining from throwing
insults at one another like some Christians do," Sfeir said. "As if
the latter have forgotten that their religion is that of forgiveness
and love."
Security forces were called to the Fanar campus of the Lebanese
University last Wednesday after a student was stabbed in fighting
between two rival Christian political groups, the Lebanese Forces
(LF) and the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM).
Sfeir then voiced hope that God would lift the country up and help the
Lebanese boost cooperation so Lebanon "remains the country of freedom,
values, forgiveness and love."
"We, like the rest of this country's sons, cannot but assume the
responsibility of its fate, knowing that ours is bigger and more
dangerous than others,'" he added.
Gatti, for his part, said he hoped the bishops would succeed in
their work, asking God grant to Lebanon stability, consensus, unity
and prosperity.
He also urged Lebanon's bishops to help youths love "Jesus in his
Church."
"Jesus' mission unifies humanity in one people, one race and one
citizenship," the papal nuncio added.
The opening ceremony was followed by two sessions during which
participants discussed a report by the council's executive committee
over the latter's objectives and activities between 2005-2008 in
addition to issues related to the general secretariat of Catholic
schools in Lebanon, respectively.
This year's session is dedicated to hold discussions over episcopal
committees and the council's different bodies, according to Sfeir.
"Each head of the 20 episcopal committees is to submit a report
over the work his committee has carried out in the past four years,"
he said.
The council is expected to conclude its meetings on Saturday when
it will issue a statement on the issues being discussed and the
decisions made.
By Maroun Khoury
Daily Star
Nov 11 2008
Lebanon
Prelate laments 'dreadful divisions' among Christians
BKIRKI: The Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Lebanon held
its 42nd session in Bkirki on Monday under the auspices of Maronite
Patriarch Nasrallah Butros Sfeir. Among those in attendance were the
catholicos-patriarch of the Armenian Catholic Church, Nerses Bedros
XIX; the papal nuncio (or Vatican ambassador) to Lebanon, Luigi Gatti;
and the council's members, including Lebanon's Catholic bishops and
head of monasteries.
In his opening speech, Sfeir expressed dismay over what he described
as the "dreadful divisions" within Lebanon's Christian community.
"Many of our sons have left their homeland because they have lost hope
in our capability to dispose of our divisions," Sfeir said. "And if
the situation remains as it is, we cannot but blame ourselves."
"But our keenness on [preserving] our inherited values and habits will
help us restore the lost hope," the patriarch added. "We will not find
in the whole world a country that looks like Lebanon, a country that
embraces members of 18 sects, who have got used to living together
in an atmosphere of cooperation, mutual respect and love."
Sfeir also criticized clashes between Lebanese University students
earlier last week.
"If we go back in time, we find that many people from the non-Christian
sects try to forget their discords, while refraining from throwing
insults at one another like some Christians do," Sfeir said. "As if
the latter have forgotten that their religion is that of forgiveness
and love."
Security forces were called to the Fanar campus of the Lebanese
University last Wednesday after a student was stabbed in fighting
between two rival Christian political groups, the Lebanese Forces
(LF) and the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM).
Sfeir then voiced hope that God would lift the country up and help the
Lebanese boost cooperation so Lebanon "remains the country of freedom,
values, forgiveness and love."
"We, like the rest of this country's sons, cannot but assume the
responsibility of its fate, knowing that ours is bigger and more
dangerous than others,'" he added.
Gatti, for his part, said he hoped the bishops would succeed in
their work, asking God grant to Lebanon stability, consensus, unity
and prosperity.
He also urged Lebanon's bishops to help youths love "Jesus in his
Church."
"Jesus' mission unifies humanity in one people, one race and one
citizenship," the papal nuncio added.
The opening ceremony was followed by two sessions during which
participants discussed a report by the council's executive committee
over the latter's objectives and activities between 2005-2008 in
addition to issues related to the general secretariat of Catholic
schools in Lebanon, respectively.
This year's session is dedicated to hold discussions over episcopal
committees and the council's different bodies, according to Sfeir.
"Each head of the 20 episcopal committees is to submit a report
over the work his committee has carried out in the past four years,"
he said.
The council is expected to conclude its meetings on Saturday when
it will issue a statement on the issues being discussed and the
decisions made.