Lebanon looks to Patriarch Sfeir during rough patch

Beirut (AsiaNews) – The Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir is fast becoming a point of reference not only for Christians but for the entire nation. This is increasingly felt as Lebanon lives through a difficult time, thanks to internal repercussions of the Mehlis report and debate surrounding the future of the President of the Republic Emile Lahoud.

Yesterday, in his homily, the Patriarch once again underlined the need of a spiritual revival based on values of faith in the Eucharist, and he expressed concern about the current state of affairs: there is a prevalent “perplexity which has gripped the minds of most Lebanese, who are currently standing at the crossroads of many paths” which are all “full of dangers”. The cardinal made a heartfelt appeal to “prudence and wisdom before judging matters and people”, insisting on the importance of national unity. This is the “only sure way which will keep us far from division and fragmentation”. For this reason, all must avoid the quest for “personal gain”, seeking rather “the common good” because at the moment there is no room for “egoistical” people who seek their own interests. Finally, Patriarch Sfeir raised a prayer that the Almighty God, prince of peace, may distance “our country” from the perils which threaten it.

Bkerke, the seat of the Patriarchate, could testify to the centrality of the role played by Card. Sfeir at this critical time. The Patriarch, since his return from Rome last week, has received many visitors, who say they are ready to accept the solutions he proposes. General Michel Aoun, who was received by the Patriarch last week, spoke of the need to follow the directives of the “wise old man of Bkerke” who “asked nothing for himself”. He added that the “prophetic voice of the Patriarch is the only one able to clarify and illuminate people”.

Even the leader of the Lebanese Forces, Samir Geagea was welcomed for more than an hour late yesterday evening. He told our correspondent that “there is unanimous consensus with the Patriarch, who is calling on all to ‘hold their breath’ and not to run too much”. Geagea reiterated “the full backing of the Lebanese Forces for the proposals of the Patriarch”. Lebanon, he added, was living through a “transitory” period which should not last long, before the advent of a time of internal peace and stability. “I hope to see within a couple of months the revival of a just state, strongly desired by all”.

For his part, the Druze leader, Walid Joumblatt, launched an appeal to all “Christian political forces” in an interview with the television station Al Arabya (The Arab). He called on them to unite as quickly as possible under the guidance of Patriarch Sfeir to debate the future of President Lahoud and of the Presidency of the Republic, saying that all wanted to elect a “Maronite Christian president, as is obvious”. He also drew the attention of all to the looming danger, predicting the Security Council’s approval of a “very strong resolution against Syria”. Joumblatt cautioned the Syrian President Bachar El Assad about the risk he ran if he refused to collaborate fully with the international community. If he did not cooperate, “a future worse than that of Saddam Hussein awaits him”, said Joumblatt, echoing the concern voiced by the patriarch should events follow such a course.

As one of the Eastern Catholic Churches, the Maronite Church is led by a patriarch. Nasrallah Peter Cardinal Sfeir was elected Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and all the East in 1986, becoming the 76th Patriarch of the Maronite Church. He is the third Maronite Cardinal, having been granted that title by Pope John Paul II in 1994.

Patriarch Sfeir was born on May 15, 1920 in Rayfoun, Kesrouan, Lebanon. He was ordained a priest on May 7, 1950, and served Rayfoun parish from 1951 until 1955. He then became Secretary of the Maronite Patriarchate, served as professor of translation in literature and philosophy at the Freres Maronite School in Jounieh, and was ordained a bishop in 1961.

As the leader of the Maronite Church, Patriarch Sfeir has been a powerful voice not only for his Church but for the nation of Lebanon, challenging the world community to guarantee its independence and sovereignty.

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«For his part, the Druze leader, Walid Joumblatt, launched an appeal to all “Christian political forces” in an interview with the television station Al Arabya (The Arab). He called on them to unite as quickly as possible under the guidance of Patriarch Sfeir to debate the future of President Lahoud and of the Presidency of the Republic, saying that all wanted to elect a “Maronite Christian president, as is obvious”. He also drew the attention of all to the looming danger, predicting the Security Council’s approval of a “very strong resolution against Syria”.»

That is exactly what Patriarch Sfeir tried to avoid by telling his visitors that Bkerke is not only for one part of Lebanon, but has a wider, national look. Patriarch Sfeir knows what is best for the country, and tries to give advice to all parties with a particular detachment. He'd rather prefer reconciliation than taking side. Mr. Jumblat had better listen to the wisdom of the "old man of Bkerke who asked nothing for himself". The directives of Bkerke are not truly directives, but are what one may call guidance and general moral and patriotic principles that would apply to all Lebanese regardless of their religion and political affiliations, leaving to each and every one the freedom to judge of the situation and take his own decision.

I suspect what you are seeing here, though Jumblatt would doubtless deny it, maybe honestly, is an old Ottoman image of the Maronite Cardinal as the Ethnarc of the Christians in what Jumblatt views as a Mohammaden country. Personally, given the present situation in Lebanon and for the time being, I feel such thinking may in fact be a good idea, if it doesn't also carry with it a sort of dhimmitude concept, which with the Druzes it probably doesn't. It is, however, a potentially dangerous concept for the Cardinal. Ethnarcs have been killed for failing to keep their "millet" in line.

Jumblat is still living in the 19th century, politically speaking, while we try to pull everybody to the 21st. Mounting a unified Christian front around Bkerke would be returning to where Jumblat still is. While mounting any political current based on the state of every person as a citizen of the country would destroy the myth of one family precedence over many others inherited by Jumblat and other christian families from the old ottoman system with a zeste of French colonial rule added. Jumblat is no innocent in his remarks; and do not be fooled, he imposes himself openly , for himself at least, over other islamic families as belonging to the "great" world of Islam and arabism. The current islamic families are adopting him, may be against their wishes, but still adopt him as a fellow modern feodal leader. Modern feodality, that is their way to survive.

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