The Maronite bishops voiced full support to Maronite Patriarch Bechara Rai’s stance, refusing to jeopardize the lives of residents of South Lebanon who have been exasperated by the escalation of cross-border tensions between Hezbollah and Israel that endanger their livelihood and properties.
In a statement released on Wednesday, following their monthly meeting in Bkerke, the bishops strongly condemned what they called “attempts to undermine the church’s stance in supporting citizens in the South, lifting the sword of destruction and death at them.”
The bishops bemoaned the “unilateral policies that brought about these dire conditions at the border,” while hailing political and diplomatic efforts to implement UN Resolution 1701.
Regarding the presidential issue, the Maronite bishops blamed the state’s deteriorating performance on the presidential vacuum. “While following up closely on the Quintet committee’s efforts” to try and break the presidential deadlock, “we hope for a positive outcome, all the while reminding MPs that they are not exempt from their constitutional duty to expedite the election of a new president.”
The Maronite bishops also slammed the general budget which was approved by Parliament despite its flaws and shortcomings that violate citizens’ right for social justice.
Moreover, they warned against “international and local attempts to pass a dubious border demarcation between Lebanon and Israel, with no clear and firm international guarantees.”
“These negotiations still fall within the jurisdiction of the president, and anything done outside a president’s authority, administration and consent is null and void,” they added.
