Maronite Patriarch Bechara Rai, Dec. 15, 2024 in Bkerke. (Credit: NNA)
The head of the Maronite Church, Patriarch Bechara Rai, addressed the plight of Christians in Syria during his Sunday homily, following the fall of Bashar Assad's regime, which was overthrown by a coalition of rebels led by the Islamist group Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). He affirmed that "Syria is the cradle of Christianity in the region." The patriarch also called for the election of a president in Lebanon during the parliamentary session scheduled for Jan. 9.
"The meeting held this week (editor’s note) between the authorities of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham and the bishops of Aleppo, along with priests from Damascus, was reassuring. The bishops and priests expressed their willingness to work together and to participate in the management of public affairs for the benefit of all Syrians, and Christians in particular. Christians are an integral and essential part of Syrian society," he emphasized.
"Syria is the birthplace of Christianity, deeply rooted since its beginnings. Christians there have contributed to protecting coexistence, justice, peace, freedom, and human rights. Today, it is necessary to reach out to all Syrian communities to cooperate in rebuilding the country, stressing the importance of establishing Syria on principles of citizenship and equality, without religious, sectarian, ethnic, or cultural distinction. It is also essential to encourage Christians to engage in national and political efforts," Cardinal Rai stated, at a time when many Syrian Christians are expressing fear over HTS's rise to power.
Electing a President in Lebanon
Turning to the situation in Lebanon, the head of the Maronite Church called for an end to the presidential vacancy that has persisted for over two years. "In Lebanon, parliamentary blocs continue their consultations to elect a new president on Jan. 9. For our part, we accompany them in prayer, hoping they will agree on a candidate, or several candidates, and that successive voting rounds will lead to the election of the most suitable president for the good of Lebanon and the Lebanese," the patriarch said.
Lebanon has been without a head of state since October 2022. After months of stagnation on the issue, amidst a backdrop of conflict between Hezbollah and the Israeli army, the cease-fire that took effect on Nov. 27 has reinvigorated the matter. This prompted the Parliament speaker to schedule an electoral session for early January. On Friday, the patriarch, head of the Maronite community from which the president must be chosen, met with MP Nehmat Frem, an independent candidate who had officially announced his bid for the presidency the day prior.
"We pray for a just and lasting peace in Syria and to turn the cease-fire between Israel and Lebanon into a true and enduring peace agreement," the Maronite patriarch added. Since its implementation in late November, the cease-fire, which ended the war between Hezbollah and Israel, has been violated almost daily by the Israeli state.
