During the Sunday Mass at Saint George Cathedral in Beirut, Metropolitan Elias Audi presided over a service in memory of the victims of the August 4, 2020, explosion.
In his homily, Metropolitan Audi described the port tragedy as an “open wound in the body of Beirut.” He condemned what he called the “explosion of dead consciences” and denounced the silence, obstruction of the investigation and absence of justice five years on. He accused political and judicial leaders of abandoning the families, “leaving orphans without answers and bereaved mothers without comfort.”
Audi stressed that the explosion was neither an accident nor an unavoidable tragedy, but the direct result of negligence, corruption and impunity. He highlighted the forced exile of many Beirut residents, compelled to leave their destroyed homes due to lack of assistance, and warned against any attempt to strip them of their right to vote and to be represented.
In conclusion, he urged people to “open their mouths to defend justice” and to remain steadfast witnesses to the truth so that Lebanon may be reborn “from the death of injustice to the light of truth.” A prayer was offered for the repose of the victims’ souls and for the truth about this tragedy to be revealed.
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