Orthodox-Maronite leaders meet in Lebanon

BALAMAND, Lebanon (Daily Star) - Leaders of Lebanon’s Maronite Church held talks Tuesday with Greek Orthodox Patriarch Ignatius IV Hazim, the head of the country’s second-largest Christian community, in a bid to strengthen Christian unity as political instability sweeps the Middle East.

Maronite Patriarch Beshara Rai underscored the need for dialogue and unity among Christians, as well as between Christians and Muslims, particularly under the current circumstances in the region.

“We see wars and divisions today as events unfold in neighboring Arab countries. Thus we need to meet and unite our people and urge solidarity among all Christians and Muslims,” Rai told reporters at the Greek Orthodox patriarchate at the monastery of Balamand in northern Lebanon.

“All religious sects should consider themselves one family … our religion is based on love,” Hazim said.

Rai added that his visit was aimed at strengthening bonds with the Greek Orthodox Church to encourage Christians to maintain their presence in the Arab world.

“We hope to intensify our meetings, particularly under the current circumstances, not only with other Christian sects but also with Muslims to serve the interest of people,” Rai said.

A statement released following the meeting said participants agreed that Christians looked forward to seeing states where all citizens enjoy equal rights and duties and live in freedom without religious discrimination.

“Both patriarchs underscored the importance of urging the international community to support national and just Arab causes, particularly the Palestinian cause,” the statement also said.

The statement highlighted the historic role that Christians played in the Middle East on both cultural and national levels.

“Both patriarchs stressed their rejection of the so-called ‘protection’ of any faction by another one, because only the state should be responsible for enforcing justice and protecting people,” the statement added.