BEIRUT — On Palm Sunday, the head of the Maronite Church, Patriarch Bechara al-Rai, called on Lebanese politicians to "destroy the sin of corruption, self-interest and egoism" and to elect a president for crisis-hit Lebanon.
The country has been without a president since the end of Michel Aoun's term in office on Oct. 31, and MPs have not been able to elect a successor despite 11 parliamentary sessions dedicated to the task since September.
During his Sunday homily, the Maronite patriarch said that every politician "is called to destroy in him the sin of corruption, self-interest and egoism, illegal gains and theft of public money."
He went on to say that Lebanese MPs "must know that the guarantee of a just policy is the election of a president who possesses these characteristics in order to reorganize the institutions."
The head of the Maronite Church also said he is "preparing" for a "spiritual retreat on April 5 with the Christian MPs" — a reference to the invitation issued by the patriarchate to Lebanon's 64 Christian MPs to participate in a day of prayer at Harissa.
"We will pray together for Lebanon and its rescue from its political, economic and financial crises," he added.
Rai had previously announced his intention to convene all Christian parties for a dialogue on the presidential election. Bkirki recently drew up a list, seen by L'Orient-Le Jour, of 10 potential consensus candidates for the presidency. The Lebanese Forces and the Free Patriotic Movement, two major rival parties, have indicated that they will respond positively to this invitation.
For his part, the Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of Beirut Elias Audi blasted in his homily "a country totally blocked."
"Institutions are blocked, civil servants are on strike, billions of liras are wasted and they are begging for help. How can they live without making a case of conscience, sleep without worry?" he said. "We need leaders, not mad people. People who think and have a vision of a cause to defend, not politicians who play with power and the people."