Posted on 08/17/2006 8:23:25 AM PDT by NYer
BEIRUT: Criticizing what it called a divided national decision-making process, the Council of Maronite Bishops said Wednesday that "it is impossible to continue like this." "Decisions have to be taken by one leader, one leader represented by the government who has won the confidence of Parliament and is elected by the people, otherwise the country is doomed to suffer catastrophes," said Monsignor Youssef Tawq, spokesman for Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Butros Sfeir.
In a statement released following an extraordinary meeting chaired by Sfeir in Bkirki, the council said the cease-fire in the Israeli-Lebanese conflict - which has destroyed much of Lebanon's infrastructure as well as devastated thousands of homes and displaced hundreds of thousands of citizens - has been welcomed by the Lebanese.
But, the council added, "this does not dispel the people's fear of Security Council Resolution 1701's content, which is open to various interpretations."
A papal delegate, Cardinal Roger Etchegaray, took part in the meeting before his departure to the Vatican carrying along a message of gratitude from Sfeir to Pope Benedict XVI.
http://www.dailystar.com.lb
Etchegaray has been in Lebanon for a three-day visit to inquire about the situation of the Lebanese in the wake of the destructive war that left more than 1,000 people dead.
The cardinal also made a donation to the Caritas Lebanon League in support of the needy on behalf of the Vatican.
The council expressed gratitude to Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, who heads the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, and all Catholic organizations in the US and the world for their "generous" humanitarian aid. The council called on the Lebanese to unite to rebuild Lebanon.
Prior to his departure, Etchegaray held a press conference in Harissa where he said his meetings with the religious and political authorities highlighted the readiness of the Lebanese to rescue their country. "Peace was not the objective of those involved in the fighting only, but that of all parties," he added.
Commenting on the predicament of the displaced, the cardinal called on governmental and nongovernmental associations to expedite help, conveying the Holy See's concern about the spiritual and material needs of Lebanese.
March 16, 2004 - Patriarch Sfeir meets with President George W. Bush
The Maronite patriarch expressed great gratitude for Bush’s interest in Lebanon. He said "We used this opportunity to relay our views to President Bush and to express the ambitions of all Lebanese." Bush and Sfeir discussed the situation in Lebanon as it has unfolded since the withdrawal of Syrian forces and the formation of the new Lebanese government.
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Another Nasrallah?
Too bad that Syria and Iran won't allow that to happen.
Nice to see the Vatican come out with this.
Ping!
At the rate Lebannon's shiites are allowed in immigrate and the 12 babies per household with all their welfare and housing paid for by Iran, Lebannon will be an islamic state within 20 years. Most christians, catholics, druze, and any others will exit stage left or face increased violence and oppression by the mullahs.
Which makes a mockery of the "two-state" solution. If allowed to constitutes. a Palestinian state would be much the same. Only a declaration by the Muslim states to recognize Israel will bring peace.
decades of the Sryian government's interference in Lebannon has already set this all in motion.
Syria will not resr content until the Lebanon is part of "Greater Syria." But they are patient. They will wait it out, now that they see that Bush will not overthrow them.
They sure go to a lot of trouble inserting an opinion into a news article.
Is this like the Muslim states recognizing UN resolutions?
Oh really? I bet this is news to the USCCB. I wonder if that is what McCarrick told the reporter.
No, this is like doing what they will never do.
Sounds like the Cockroach. Perfect case of clericalism.
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