Maronite Bishops: We Support the Dialogue Process and Thank Those Who Saved Mount Lebanon's Pastures

The Maronite bishops held their monthly meeting at the patriarchal summer headquarters in Deir al-Qamar, presided over by Cardinal Patriarch Bechara Boutros al-Rai, with participation from the general superiors and superiors of Maronite religious orders. They discussed ecclesiastical and national matters.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Bishop Antoine Aoukar read the following statement:

1- The members of the council express their great joy, along with their children, upon the announcement by Patriarch Elias Chacour of the beatification and elevation above our church altars. They see this event as a tribute to a man who left a deep national, educational, and spiritual legacy, and who served as an example to us all in love for God and country, and in sacrifice for his land and fellow citizens.

2- On the sixth anniversary of the Beirut port explosion, the council renews its condolences to the victims, prays for the healing of the injured, and offers comfort to their families and loved ones. They call for swift issuance of the verdict, full disclosure of the facts of this crime that affected the entire nation, and imposition of sanctions on perpetrators, accomplices, and those behind them.

3- The council supports the trajectory of the U.S.-Lebanese-Israeli talks, urging those overseeing and working toward their success to carefully plan steps leading to the complete Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon, the return of displaced residents, and the reconstruction of devastated towns, villages, and cities, free from attempts to tie these steps to external agendas.

4- The council strongly condemns Israel’s continued deliberate harm to the border region through the demolition of homes and institutions, destruction of infrastructure, alteration of transportation and housing landmarks, and burning or uprooting of forests and fruit-bearing trees, including unlawful seizure of land. They hope ending such actions will be a priority in the trilateral talks.

6- The council thanks all those who worked diligently and resolutely to rescue Mount Lebanon’s pastures from attempts to seize them for private interests, hoping the rescue effort will be solidified as a major step in defending the attachment of Lebanese people to their identity and land, and in reinforcing the unity of communities with their geography, history, and growing commitment to the nation and its sustaining foundations and resilience.

The council prays with the Lebanese on the night of the Feast of the Epiphany, invoking the intercession of the Virgin Mary on her upcoming feast of the Assumption, that she may show mercy upon the small nation and its people, asking the Lord God for His compassion and boundless love to deliver them from enduring hardship.