Rai Leads Meeting of Catholic Patriarchs... Key Decisions and Positions Announced

The Presidency Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Lebanon issued a statement that read:

"The Presidency Council held its meeting on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at the Maronite Patriarchal Residence in Bkerke, presided over by His Beatitude and Eminence Cardinal Patriarch Mar Bechara Boutros al-Rai, President of the Council. It was attended by Their Beatitudes the Most Blessed Patriarchs: Mar Ignatius Yousef III Younan, Patriarch of Antioch for the Syriac Catholics; Youssef Absi, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, Alexandria, and Jerusalem for the Greek Melkite Catholics; and Raphael Bedros XXI Minassian, Patriarch of Cilicia for the Armenian Catholics. Also participating were His Grace Bishop Michel Aoun, Head of the Executive Committee, and Father Jean Younes, Secretary General.

Their Beatitudes deliberated on the affairs of the Catholic Churches in Lebanon. The discussions covered the following items:

1- The 59th Ordinary Session

The Council followed up on preparations for the session to be held in Bkerke from November 9 to 13, 2026, under the title "Towards a Renewed Church in Times of Crisis."

2- Internal Regulations and the Synodal Path in Lebanon

The Council examined proposed amendments to its internal regulations in preparation for presentation in an extraordinary session, and discussed the draft organizational system and the action plan of the Episcopal Committee tasked with accompanying the 2027-2028 Synodal Phase.

3- Secretariat and Episcopal Committees

The Council reviewed the administrative and financial affairs of the Secretariat and ways to support the work of the Episcopal Committees.

4- First Communion

Their Beatitudes emphasized the importance of celebrating First Communion in parishes, in accordance with the instructions of the ecclesiastical authority.

5- International Ecclesial Meetings

The Council followed up on preparations for participation in the World Youth Day in Seoul in 2027.

6- Appeal of Border Towns

The Council reviewed the appeal by the mayors of Alma al-Shaab, Khouz, Debel, Rmeish, and Ain Ebel regarding the harsh conditions faced by the residents of these towns.

8- Health of His Holiness the Pope

Their Beatitudes thanked God for the success of the surgery undergone by His Holiness Pope Leo XIV.

9- Sanctity of Places of Worship

The Council condemned attacks on places of worship, particularly the attack on St. George Orthodox Church in the town of Hammoud in Karak Governorate, Jordan, and asked God for mercy for the martyrs and healing for the wounded.

10- The Synodal Path in the Churches of the Middle East

Father Khalil Alwan, Secretary General of the Council of Catholic Patriarchs of the East, joined the meeting and presented the two phases of accompanying the Synodal Path in the Churches of the Middle East. He also submitted a project for the accession of these churches to the unions of episcopal councils in the Catholic world, within the framework of enhancing cooperation between churches in a spirit of synodality.

In conclusion, Their Beatitudes renewed their commitment to strengthening cooperation between the Catholic Churches and their institutions, in service of their spiritual, humanitarian, and national mission."