Lebanon to find its unity in mutual forgiveness, says Sfeir
Beirut (AsiaNews) According to Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Cardinal Sfeir, only by means of "prophetic deeds based on forgiveness" and respect for their institutions can the people of Lebanon find their unity. These conditions are essential to ensure the country's future at a time when threats are looming as last week's serious incidents showed. These were the central themes in the homily he delivered during the ceremony in which he consecrated four new Maronite bishops.
"Don't forget to be faithful and conscious of the weight of your new vocation," was the first thing Cardinal Sfeir told the four new Maronite bishops: Mgr Simon Attallah, archbishop of Baalbeck-Deir El ahmar; Mgr François Eid, archbishop of Cairo; Mgr Georges Bou-Jawde, archbishop of Tripoli; and Elias Nassar, archbishop of Sidon.
Lebanese President Émile Lahoud was present at the ceremony along with many patriarchs, bishops, priests, religieux and religieuses and more than four thousands faithful from Maronite dioceses and other Catholic and Orthodox denominations as well as Muslim spiritual leaders.
For Patriarch Sfeir, President Lahoud's presence was important as "the expression of his central place in the Maronite Church."
The cardinal also emphasised the "need to begin the process of national reconciliation under the aegis of Lebanon's many friends". He insisted that every Lebanese had a role to play and called on leaders to overcome the wounds of the past, because only by "prophetic deeds based on forgiveness and respect for its institutions can Lebanon be saved".
Addressing the new bishops, who will preside over the dioceses most affected by emigration, he offered his full co-operation to stop the exodus of young people "who constitute the human wealth of the Church".
The patriarch reminded everyone of the country's current situation and of the dangers that the recent series of attacks represent. The purpose of last week's incidents, which culminated in the torching of St Maron's Church in the downtown Beirut. was to fuel a desire for vengeance.
For the prelate, the attack against the place of worship shows the "weakness the Lebanese government is in defending citizens' fundamental rights". political leaders, he asked, should "provide everyone with overall protection".
Before delivering the final blessing, the patriarch expressed his strong desire to see Lebanon "reconciled with itself, based on the fundamental principles that make it a bridge between West and East".
.png)
