RAHI From Rome: Church Must Move Consciences

16 Feb 2020

Rome - Maronite Patriarch, Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros al-Rahi, considered that the Church cannot afford to give heed to various thoughts and opinions, but must however, touch people's consciences.

His words came as he presided over Sunday Mass at Foligno Cathedral in Italy, where the relics of Saint Maroun are preserved.

"It is the Church that always addresses the consciences and minds of people...It cannot compromise on anything, otherwise it would be abandoning its role and mission. We thank the Lord who created the Church so that it may remain the permanent voice of the conscience, the voice of God," the Patriarch said.

"Saint Maroun, whose remains we honor here today, teaches us many things we desperately need to live by, namely his profound union with God, with prayer, meditation, austerity, and death...As much as he was united with God, he became united with all people, and this is the main secret. Any healthy relationship that we can live on the horizontal level, we can only live if our vertical living is intact with God. Peace with God, peace with all of humanity," al-Rahi corroborated.

"With you, we pray for the intention of all officials in Lebanon to return to God, to prayer and repentance...so that they can reunite with each other," the Patriarch concluded.

RAHI Appeals to Lebanese Politicians From Rome: Stay Away From Rivalry Because we are in Need of our Unity and Achieving The Uprising Demands

Sat 15 Feb 2020

Rome - Maronite Patriarch, Cardinal Beshara Boutros al-Rahi, continued to participate in reciting the Rosary prayer rituals in Rome devoted to Lebanon's intention, where he appealed to Lebanese politicians this evening before the start of prayers to refrain from rivalry since the country is in need of unity and achieving the people's demands.

"We pray today for the new government to be able to meet the needs of citizens for which the popular uprising erupted...rightful demands which we support," he said.

"This requires the cabinet to work seriously to develop a rescue plan for an economic, financial and social renaissance, similar to what was presented and confirmed at the Cedar Conference, and according to the government plan," the Patriarch asserted. "This is the only way to meet the demands of the uprisings in the street, which are also our demands because they are the cry of a hungry people," he said.

"I appeal to the political officials in Lebanon, to the heads of parties and parliamentary blocs, to move away from the atmosphere of rivalry, rhetoric, accusations and mutual complaints. We are in urgent need today for our national unity," AL-Rahi corroborated.

"This call is also a prayer for all the political forces on Lebanese grounds to work for the internal unity and aspirations of Lebanon, because the intifada was launched from all Lebanese regions and from all sects, parties and colors," he maintained.

"I hope that the political officials would be advocates of unity, understanding and brotherhood for the sake of the salvation of Lebanon and its people," al-Rahi concluded.