Christian leaders join Pope Francis in Day of Prayer for Lebanon

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Source: Vatican News

Ten leaders of the different Christian Churches and communities of Lebanon, with their delegations, gathered around Pope Francis in the Vatican on Thursday, for a Day of Prayer and Reflection for their country. A Vatican statement said the initiative was not to seek a political solution but to pray and read the signs of the time, respond to the cry of their people and alleviate their suffering.

The participants were:

His Beatitude Cardinal Béchara Boutros, Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and All the East
His Beatitude Youhanna X, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antiochia
His Holiness Ignatius Aphrem II, Syrian Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East
His Beatitude Youssef Absi, Patriarch of Antiochia of the Greek-Melkites
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of Cilicia of the Armenians
His Beatitude Mor Ignatius Youssef III, Syriac Catholic Patriarch of Antioch
Reverend Joseph Kassab, President of the Supreme Council of the Evangelical Community in Syria and Lebanon
His Excellency Michel Kassarji, Bishop of Beirut of Chaldeans
His Excellency César Essayan, Apostolic Vicar of Beirut of Latins
Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, prefect of the Congregation for Eastern Churches
Archbishop Joseph Spiteri, Apostolic Nuncio to Lebanon

Lebanon is going through one of the world's most severe economic crises in modern times, which is having serious social repercussions. The crisis, which began in late 2019, is rooted in decades of corruption and mismanagement by a post-civil war political class that has accumulated debt and done little to encourage local industries, forcing the country to rely on imports for almost everything.

A series of nationwide mass demonstrations in 2019 protested against a stagnant economy, unemployment, endemic corruption in the public sector, legislation that appeared to shield the ruling class from accountability and failures from the government to provide basic services such as electricity, water and sanitation. The country was thrown into a political crisis, with Prime Minister Saad Hariri resigning following the protesters' demand for a government of independent specialists.

To add to its woes, a massive explosion on 4 August 2020 at a fertilizer storage facility in Beirut port tore through the city, killing at least 190 people and injuring more than 6,000. It caused over US$10 billion in property damage, and left some 300,000 people homeless.

Hariri was designated as Prime Minister in October 2020 but he has been at loggerheads with President Michel Aoun over cabinet positions and has failed to form a government so far.

Meanwhile, Lebanon continues to sink. Today, the Lebanese pound has lost more than 90% of its value against the US dollar since 2019 and inflation has skyrocketed, wiping out people's wages and causing food prices to triple. With the Lebanese pound losing 95% of its purchase power, half of the population is believed to be living below the poverty line. Tight restrictions have also been placed on bank accounts, leaving people unable to withdraw their savings or transfer money abroad.

According to the latest World Bank report, Lebanon's economic and financial crisis is likely to rank in the top 10, possibly top three, most severe crises globally since the mid19th century. In the face of colossal challenges, continuous policy inaction and the absence of a fully functioning government, there is no clear turning point on the horizon.

The Day of Prayer and Reflection for Lebanon, was called by Pope Francis, to help revive hope and peace in the country.

Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, prefect of the Vatican Congregation for Oriental Churches, who organized the day, said its purpose was to "walk together". The Church leaders questioned themselves, reflected and prayed together. The theme of the day was: 'The Lord God has plans for peace. Together for Lebanon.'

The Day began in the morning with the arrival of the Church leaders at Casa Santa Marta where the Pope resides. The Holy Father greeted each one of them and members of their delegations - after which the group walked together with Pope Francis to St Peter's Basilica.

Inside, standing in front of the papal altar, situated just above the tomb of St Peter, the Pope prayed the Our Father which others joined in Arabic. After a moment of silent prayer, the Pope went down the steps to the tomb of St Peter where he placed a lighted candle. The others followed him placing their candles there. After a moment of silent prayer, the Pope led them out of the basilica through the crypt.

Three closed-door meetings then took place, in Clementine Hall of the Apostolic Palace. The day was brought to a close with an ecumenical prayer service and a speech by Pope Francis at 6pm.

Lebanon, which has a population of five million, has the largest percentage of Christians in the Middle East and is the only Arab country with a Christian head of state, President Aoun. Christians make up a third of the population.

At the Conclusion of the Ecumenical day of Prayer for Lebanon, Pope Francis gave a short address. He noted that on this day, "sustained by the prayers of the Holy People of God, in facing this dark situation, we, as pastors, have sought together to be guided by God's light." In this light of His, "we have seen our own lack of clarity" and the mistakes we have made. "For all this we ask forgiveness", and with contrite hearts we pray: "Lord, have mercy."

The Pope went on to refer to the woman from the region of Tyre and Sidon, who, with this same plea, in her suffering insistently begged Jesus: "Lord, help me."

"Today her plea has become that of an entire people, the disillusioned and weary Lebanese people in need of certainty, hope and peace," said the Pope. "Let us neither desist nor tire of accompanying the Lebanese people in this plea, imploring heaven for that peace which men and women find so difficult to build on earth."

Referring to the Scriptures, mentioned earlier during the day, Pope Francis went on to focus on the short phrase "the Lord declares that he has plans for peace and not for woe." In these woeful times, the Pope noted, "we want to affirm with all our strength that Lebanon is, and must remain, a project of peace." The Pope said that Lebanon's vocation is to be "a land of tolerance and pluralism, an oasis of fraternity where different religions and confessions meet, where different communities live together, putting the common good before their individual interests." He then went on to stress how essential it is that "those in power choose finally and decisively to work for true peace and not for their own interests."

Addressing the people of Lebanon, Pope Francis noted that "you have distinguished yourselves by your resourcefulness and industriousness. He asked that they be inspired by those "gone before" them, "who saw in diversity not obstacles but possibilities, and could thus build common foundations". Sink your roots in their dreams of peace, said the Pope.

Addressing the political leaders, the Pope asked that "in accordance with your responsibilities, may you find urgent and durable solutions to the current economic, social and political crisis, mindful that there can be no peace without justice."

Pope Francis then noted that as Christians, . our wish is "to renew our commitment to building a future together." Our future will be peaceful only if it is shared, he explained. "Human relationships cannot be based on the pursuit of partisan interests, privileges and advantages." "We Christians are called to be sowers of peace and builders of fraternity, not nursing past grudges and regrets, not shirking the responsibilities of the present, but looking instead with hope to the future". We believe that God has shown us but one way: the way of peace, he added.

Paraphrasing the poet Gibran, Pope Francis stressed "let us recognize that there is no other way to come to the dawn than by passing through the night. And in the night of crisis, all of us need to remain united."

Together, concluded the Pope, through honest dialogue and pure intentions, "we can bring light where there is darkness." Let us entrust every effort and commitment to Christ, the Prince of Peace... "May the night of conflicts recede before a new dawn of hope. May hostilities cease, disagreements fade away, and Lebanon once more radiate the light of peace."

Watch a short film of the church leaders processing to St Peter's in the morning: www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6aYVqiefkA