Maronite Synod opens in Bkirki, to run through Saturday

The Synod of the Maronite Church began Monday at the patriarchal seat in Bkirki, presided over by Patriarch Beshara Rai. Maronite bishops from Lebanon and abroad are taking part in the closed-door sessions, which will continue through Saturday afternoon, when the topics discussed and decisions made will be publicly announced.

The Synod meets annually in Bkirki to address key pastoral, liturgical and social issues facing the Church. In his opening address, Patriarch Rai outlined this year’s agenda, which includes “liturgical matters, the election of bishops to vacant seats, priestly formation in seminaries, and the election of permanent Synod members and bishops who oversee church tribunals.” He also noted that the Synod would tackle broader societal issues, including “social, educational and national matters.”

The patriarch emphasized the importance of maintaining confidentiality throughout the proceedings, in line with the oath sworn on the Gospel by all participating bishops at the opening session.

At the close of last year’s Synod, Maronite bishops called for “keeping Lebanon away from regional conflicts,” amid ongoing daily exchanges of fire between Israel and Hezbollah across the Blue Line.