Patriarch Rai Condemns Murder of Priest Samir Daou and Calls for Urgent Investigation

The following statement was issued by the Maronite Patriarch, Cardinal Bechara Boutros al-Rai: "We received with great sorrow and deep grief the news of the killing of our son, Father Samir Daou, from the Maronite Archdiocese of Jbeil, in a heinous crime that caused us immense pain and stirred feelings of sadness and condemnation in our hearts.

We strongly condemn this brutal crime against a priest who dedicated his life to serving God and the Church. We raise prayers to the Lord Jesus, the Eternal Priest, to accept his soul into His heavenly kingdom, include him among the ranks of righteous priests, and grant him the rest of the righteous and the unfading light of life.

We offer our sincere condolences to His Excellency our brother Bishop Michel Aoun, pastor of the Maronite Archdiocese of Jbeil, to the archdiocese's priests and parishioners served by the deceased, and to his family, relatives, and townspeople. We ask God to pour the balm of His comfort into their hearts and strengthen them through their faith and hope in the Resurrection.

We urge the competent security and judicial authorities to follow up on investigations with seriousness and determination to uncover the circumstances of this crime, reveal its truth, identify those responsible, and bring them to justice, in defense of human dignity, establishment of rights, and putting an end to all violations of the sanctity of human life.

May God have mercy on our son, Father Samir Daou, and compensate us with holy priests."