Maronite Patriarch, Cardinal Bechara Boutros a-Rahi, presided this morning over the Epiphany Holy Mass in the Church of Our Lady in Bkirki.
In his religious sermon, the Patriarch touched on the developments occurring in the region, saying: “We do not want Lebanon and its people to bear the burden of other nations and peoples. We must adhere to UN Resolution #1701, and spare Lebanon and the Lebanese, through wisdom and self-restraint, from entering into Israel’s war on Gaza.”
Al-Rahi referred to the suffering of the people of the southern Lebanese towns due to this war, from killings, the destruction of homes and orchards, and displacement. He added, “We never cease demanding, with all our capabilities and from all countries and official authorities, the right of the Palestinian people to return to their land and live in a state of their own. It is known that this method is more effective than war, killing, destruction, displacement, dispersion on the roads, hunger, oppression, and deprivation.”
Al-Rahi co
ntinued, “We demand, with all people of goodwill, to stop the fire and war, and to begin finding solutions through diplomatic negotiations. We demand that the border towns, Lebanon, and its people not be implicated in the extension of this war.”
In this context, the Patriarch reminded that “the decision on war and peace rests exclusively with the government, with two-thirds of its members, in line with the Constitution (Article 65), given the seriousness of every war and its dire consequences.’
Al-Rahi concluded his sermon by saying, “Let us pray to God Almighty, brothers and sisters, on the Day of Light, so that He may shine His light on minds, hearts, and consciences, so that everyone may live in the divine light, the light of truth, love, justice, and peace…”
Source: National News Agency – Lebanon