Maronite Church leader Bechara Rai during his Sunday homily, March 5, 2023. (Credit: NNA)
In the calm and serene landscape of Bkirki, Maronite Patriarch Bechara al-Rai tried to stay optimistic about the country’s future, in these days of tribulation. He told his visitors that he is not worried about Lebanon nor its system, and stressed that the country can only continue to exist in its diversity.
Speaking to a delegation from the Syndicate of Press Editors, led by Joseph Kossaifi, Rai gave a speech of unity, arguing that priority should currently be given to the 1.2 million displaced persons. From the outset, the patriarch spoke of the role of the press during the serious crisis currently facing the country.
He began by thanking the journalists, those on the front line and others, who all have a major responsibility today, because “the Lebanese people need to be reassured and to calm down. Media should highlight the positive and reduce the negative to give people hope,” he said.
Referring to the spiritual summit recently held in Bkirki, the patriarch said it was a step towards strengthening unity among the Lebanese. He noted that a committee in charge of following up this summit is being formed and should meet as soon as possible to prepare a seminar devoted to the displaced persons and ways of dealing with this crisis. The recommendations adopted will be submitted to a new spiritual summit dedicated to this end.
“The displaced don’t just need shelter, medications and food,” he said. “They also need respect and love. Words are very important here, and you have them,” he told the journalists.
Does he fear internal strife due to the large number of displaced persons? The patriarch pointed out that he and the other religious leaders are working on the ground to welcome the displaced in the best possible conditions. “Our motto is the living-together whatever the circumstances. We try to welcome everyone without discrimination, and we don’t play politics,” he said.
In response to a question about his relations with the Vatican, which had even asked him to submit his resignation, the Maronite patriarch underscored that nothing true of these allegations.
I met the Pope during my last visit to the Vatican, for the beatification of the Massabki brothers, and it was I who asked the Vatican in a letter dated Feb. 28, 2024 to accept that Bishop Boulos Rouhana, the patriarchal vicar of Sarba, replace me and represent the Maronite patriarchate at the synod, as he made a great contribution to its preparation. I have therefore spoken with the Pope and with Cardinal Parolin, which is why I can affirm that there is no resignation in progress nor any sidelining concerning me,” he said.
Commenting on the ceasefire negotiations, the patriarch said that in times of war, there is no such thing as victor or vanquished; there are simply diplomatic negotiations. “Alas, these negotiations have so far been absent,” he said. “They could take place with the new American President Donald Trump, who promised peace in the Middle East during his election campaign.” “So the solution lies in political negotiations, not in victory or defeat,” he added.
Commenting on the absence of Christians in the current or future negotiations, Rai said that “the duck is lame, but this is nothing new. It dates back to the presidential vacancy. We have repeatedly raised the issue of consensus in the actions of caretaker prime minister and parliament speaker. We have raised the issue of the absence of the Christian component”. Isn’t it to some extent the fault of the Christians themselves? “Not at all,” said the patriarch.
“This is because Parliament is closed. I’ve already sounded the alarm several times about the importance of this election, and about this issue in particular. How can the talk about the respect of the national pact be raised when the Christian component is absent? To elect a president, the speaker of parliament is asked to convene the MPs for consecutive electoral sessions, that’s all. The last session was held in June 2023, and we don’t know why parliament has been closed ever since. The constitution specifies that Parliament turns into an electoral body, and quorum ought to be secured and it’s a duty for the PMs to be present. Hence the wrong practices, in terms of both the constitution and logic,” he said.
The patriarch noted that the Maronite Patriarchate has not called the Christian leaders to agree on a candidate. It was the latter who raised the issue at a meeting, but the patriarchate is convinced that every Maronite citizen has the right to stand as a candidate.
Commenting on his support for extending the term of office of the Lebanese Army Chief Joseph Aoun, the patriarch said that he expressed his position in his homily on Sunday.
“I insisted that we cannot change the army chief in the current circumstances, in the absence of a president of the republic and while the country is at war. I have no personal interest in this, it’s just the country’s best interest that counts. I’m also in favor of extending the terms of office of all security chiefs,” he said.
In response to a question about his fears for Lebanon and its system, the patriarch said he doesn’t really have any. “Lebanon belongs to all its sons and daughters. There must be no distinction between any of the components that make up the Lebanese social fabric. We must all support Lebanon in its diversity, and it must protect all its sons. We must not rely on foreign parties. We must respect our border and our constitution, and quotas based on confessionalism are a mistake.”
Rai also expressed support for a national and even international conference to examine three issues: the implementation of the Taif Accord, both in spirit and letter, the application of UN resolutions no 1701, 1680 and 1559, and finally proclaiming Lebanon’s neutrality. But, in his view, all this requires the election of a president so that the institutions start functioning normally again. “Unfortunately, we’re going backwards,” he said.
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