Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rai affirmed during his reception at the Patriarchal Summer Monument in Diman a delegation from the “Association of Mayors of Villages and Towns of the Bcharre District,” headed by Mukhtar Alexisvares, that “Jabba remains committed to its faith and loyalty to Lebanon, the values, authenticity and lofty cedar Lebanon,” stressing “confidence that the country will rise again despite all the devastation and rubble that has befallen it.”
Al-Rahi pointed out that “the saints intercede for Lebanon and its people,” expressing his belief in “the nation’s resurrection and its restoration to health.” He also thanked those present for their supportive words and positions, praising the “positive spirit and solidarity” they expressed.
Al-Rahi thanked the delegation for “responding to the invitation despite their preoccupations and leaving their jobs and homes,” considering that their participation “expresses a sincere sentimental position and a stand by the Patriarchate in light of recent events.”
He stressed that “Christians do not bear hatred or hatred, because their religion is based on love and forgiveness,” adding that “he is not angry with those who have wronged him, but rather sad for them because of the continuation of this type of thinking despite living together in one country.”
He pointed out that “what happened was a painful shock, especially in light of the absence of positions of condemnation or condemnation from some of those responsible for the perpetrators of the abuse,” considering that this “increases feelings of regret.”
On the other hand, he stressed “adherence to the option of coexistence and the desire to build a homeland that brings together everyone in love and respect,” stressing “the insistence on living in brotherhood and citizenship and not abandoning this culture rooted in the Lebanese Christian identity.”
Al-Rai said, “Christians in Lebanon carry a message of presence and testimony in this East,” noting that Lebanon “is distinguished from other Arab countries by being based on the principle of citizenship, not on the religion of the state,” considering that “belonging to Lebanon precedes any religious or sectarian affiliation.”
He concluded by emphasizing “adherence to the values of love and forgiveness,” recalling the words of Jesus Christ: “Forgive them because they do not know what they are doing,” considering that “these values are the ones that must be lived and witnessed in society, and they are the ones that triumph in the end.”
In turn, Mukhtar Fares delivered a speech on behalf of the League in which he affirmed that “Lebanon will not die,” stressing that “all the free people of Lebanon support the positions of the Patriarch every day.”
He said: “Lebanon will not die… Today we offer it as a prayer on the altar of wounded Lebanon,” adding: “We stand behind you, behind the word that pierces the sound of cannons, the sound of betrayal, and the sound of false accusations.”
He added: “You are not alone,” stressing that “homelands are not protected by force alone, but rather by free speech, faith, and steadfastness.” He concluded by saying: “If the night gets intense, we know that Lebanon, which has risen repeatedly, will rise again.”
