St. Louisans in Lebanon can view violence but feel secure (include Pres. St. Louis Univ.)

St. Louis ^ | July 14, 2006 | Kavita Kumar

[NYer]

Two St. Louis religious leaders who are stuck in Lebanon say they feel fairly secure and are going ahead with some of their plans despite what they see from the balcony of their five-star hotel.

Several miles from Beirut, they can see planes passing overhead on bombing runs, anti-aircraft guns countering from the ground, a naval blockage that has formed in the sea and a nearly constant cloud of smoke over the airport.

Beirut "looks gorgeous from the distance - like New York City," said the Rev. Andre Mhanna from his cell phone Friday night. "But then there is gas burning by the airport. It looks like a big fire all of the time. But the rest of the city, you see normal traffic."

Mhanna, a Lebanese rector at St. Raymond's Maronite Catholic Parish in St. Louis, is accompanying the Rev. Lawrence Biondi, president of St. Louis University, on what was planned as a two-week trip to Lebanon. Biondi was there to give a commencement speech, which was postponed, at Notre Dame University and to meet various religious leaders.

The Maronite Church, an old Eastern Rite branch of Catholicism, is based in Lebanon.

Mhanna estimated that about 15 other families from his church in St. Louis are also trapped in Lebanon because most travel has been blocked by Israeli forces.

Like the rest, Mhanna and Biondi don't know when they will be able to return to the United States. They are awaiting information from the U.S. Embassy.

"It could be days," Mhanna said. "It could be months."

[MNJohnnie]

This story give the lie to all the Terrorists, and Western Leftists, propaganda about Israeli's "disproportionate response" now doesn't it?

[NYer]

Father Biondi called into Fox News today. He was disappointed that the US government could not arrange for safe passage home. He is confined to his hotel and said he felt like a prisoner.

Prayers for Fathers Biondi and Mhanna. Our Lady of Lebanon, protect them.

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[sinanju]

I once worked with a woman who spent some time studying in Beirut in the eighties. She made it sound almost romantic. The sound of artillery in the distance can really get those juices flowing.

If some of you fellow Freepers ever saw the History Channel's "Sex in WWII" I'm sure you may well agree that a good many of those stranded tourists are not exactly spending their nights twiddling their thumbs and listening to their iPods...

[litehaus]

"He was disappointed that the US government could not arrange for safe..etc.."........Prayers for all concerned...BUT! This infuriates me

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to want "The Gubmint" to have the answer to ones problems..betcha back home he tells a different sermon to his flock....but I haven't lived in St.Louis for decades now.

[NYer]

This story give the lie to all the Terrorists, and Western Leftists, propaganda about Israeli's "disproportionate response" now doesn't it?

My Maronite pastor is Lebanese and returned from Beirut last Saturday, just before this outbreak. He described the area of Beirut where the terrorists are holed up and called the Syrians 'squatters'. They pay no taxes and contribute nothing to Lebanon. He asked us to pray for Lebanon and Israel. He also said that 'negotiations' are worthless. This is war and the best thing that could happen to Lebanon would be for Israel to continue bombing until all traces of Hizbollah are eradicated.

[MNJohnnie]

Prayer for the suffering of the ordinary Lebanese. Death to Hellbollah.

[PAR35]

He is confined to his hotel and said he felt like a prisoner.

His five star hotel. Roughing it on the local economy on an expense account.

[rogator]

"...Rev. Lawrence Biondi, president of St. Louis University..."

If I am not mistaken, this guy is a Jesuit.
What is he doing in a five-star hotel?
Don't these guys take a vow of poverty?

[Tarkus2040]

"I once worked with a woman who spent some time studying in Beirut in the eighties. She made it sound almost romantic. The sound of artillery in the distance can really get those juices flowing."

I think you hit the nail right on the head. I find it mind boggling why any American would want to visit, work and live anywhere in Hezbollah occupied Lebanon. Knowing the history of Beirut and its former war-torn status, is extremely exciting for vacationers, especially. Then, when the crap hits the fan, they expect to be immediately rescued and returned home. All at the American taxpayer's expense, of course. If anything, these knuckleheads are a hindrance to the advancement of the war, since the Israelis must be extra careful when targeting Hezbollah and Lebanese strongholds in and around Beirut. As you can probably tell, it's really hard for me to feel sorry for any American "trapped" in Lebanon right now.