Lebanese United in Face of Bombing

Total Catholic ^ | July 24, 2006

[NYer]

The war in Lebanon has failed to divide Lebanese Christians and Muslims, said a Maronite Catholic priest in Lebanon, and "their unity is the only way to survive."

"Dialogue is the only way to solve problems between countries," said Fr Charles Ksas, a parish priest in Bziza, a village near Tripoli, in northern Lebanon.

"This war failed to divide the Lebanese," Father Ksas said in an e-mail from Lebanon on July 21. "Christians and Muslims are both damaged, and they have found that their unity is the only way to survive."

Father Ksas said relatives of his parishioners traveled to Bziza to escape the dangers of Beirut. The parish was hosting four Muslim families - women and children - whose homes were destroyed.

"We support all and help all. Christians and Muslims alike, there is no difference," the priest said.

Father Ksas said the Lebanese did not expect to be drawn into a war.

"I spend several hours watching TV, watching my country being destroyed," the priest said. "I pray that Jesus save us, save the children, the women, the old ones, the men. But I also pray for our enemies: Stop the war, we care also about your children!

"Israel is destroying the country," Father Ksas added.

He said that every day people pray for peace.

"We don't want war inside the country, (or) outside it," Father Ksas said. "We expect that war will be over soon. We think no one will win and the problems will be unsolved. But who will give life to the dead and rebuild the houses and restore the bridges and reconstruct the economy?" The priest said many Christian soldiers, including some from his area, had been killed. July 20 was the feast of St. Elias of Jerusalem, a popular saint in Lebanon, for whom many Christian males are named.

Normally, the feast is a festive day in Lebanon, beginning on the eve with a continuous stream of fireworks and firecrackers and the numerous St Elie churches filled with Lebanese Christians who attend Mass, pray, light a candle and bless their children with sacred oil.

Father Ksas said his young neighbor, Elie, went with him to church. Elie's father, a Lebanese soldier, was not there to attend.

[SJackson]

I guess it depends on who you believe: the left or the right.

Depends which Lebanese Christian you listen to, they're divided. The Muslim majority, they're not divided.

[dervish]

Where are your biased propaganda statistics from? The "Total Hezbollah?"

Let's start with this question -- where is the number for "displaced Israelis?" Oh right, they don't count.

[dervish]

"I haven't heard of any Lebanese Christian supporting Hezbollah"

Because you haven't heard of it doesn't mean it did not happen.

Michel Aoun is head of the Chrisian Maronites in Lebanon. He used to be head of the army in the civil war of the 1980's. Now he has made a pact with the devil and Lebanon is reaping the wind.

"The Shiite-Christian embrace, which Nasrallah and Aoun repeatedly insisted was "not a political alliance or front against other parties, but rather a political rapprochement," was held at Mar Mikhail Church, located a few blocks from Hezbollah's headquarters in Beirut's southern suburbs."

http://yalibnan.com/site/archives/2006/02/it_is_official_1.php

[dervish]

Are you equating the Israeli Army with the Nazis?

A yes or no will suffice, or a retraction.

[NYer]

Michel Aoun is head of the Chrisian Maronites in Lebanon.

Correction, the head of the Christian Maronites is Nasrallah Peter Cardinal Sfeir, Patriarch of the Antioch and all the East.

He met with Secretary of State, Condolleeza Rice, last week before returning to Lebanon. Once back home, he convened a council of all the bishops and issued an 8 point statement that includes a call for an immediate ceasefire, the opening of humanitarian corridors, condemnation of the Israeli invasion, as well as kidnapping, an expression of support for the diplomatic efforts of the Lebanese government, an invitation to all parties to search for unity of intent.

[eleni121]

The Christian Lebanese I know are with Israel and here is why:

http://www.standwithus.com/news_post.asp?NPI=906

[NYer]

Perhaps when the terrorists begin to separate the good Fathers flocks heads from their Christian torso's he will finally look at the truth. Hezbollah must be destroyed completely and finally, there is nothing more to this than that very fact.

You are confusing the two. The Maronite catholics are quite familiar with Muslim terrorism. They have saints who were slaughtered by them inside a church, for refusing to convert to Islam. The "truth" is Christ. The Muslims do not know Him. The good Father is following Christ's command to feed, shelter and clothe the helpless. Maronites, Muslims and Jews co-exist in Lebanon. All would like to see Hezboullah go but not at the cost of destroying their country and kiliing the most innocent of victims.

[sinkspur]

He met with Secretary of State, Condolleeza Rice, last week before returning to Lebanon. Once back home, he convened a council of all the bishops and issued an 8 point statement that includes a call for an immediate ceasefire, the opening of humanitarian corridors, condemnation of the Israeli invasion, as well as kidnapping, an expression of support for the diplomatic efforts of the Lebanese government, an invitation to all parties to search for unity of intent.

The good cardinal is doing what any of us would be doing in his position: standing with his people. It's unfortunate he has no authority over Hezbollah.

[Skywalk]

He called for a condemnation of the invasion but I think we're waiting on the calls for condemnation of Hezbollah and its actions that led to this war.

At what point do Jewish lives matters to Arabs (Christian or Muslim?)

Do they all have to be killed so that a TRULY peaceful people can live free and not be fearful of the next genocide (after already undergoing one nearly-successful genocide in the previous 60-70 years?)

[dervish]

You are giving me the name of the Church hierarchial figure (who I note has the same first name as Hassan Nasrallah the head of Lebanese Hezbollah).

I am talking about the chief POLITICAL representatives of the Christian Maronites in Lebanon. But you already knew that didn't you.

[NYer]

I am talking about the chief POLITICAL representatives of the Christian Maronites in Lebanon.

That would be comparable to equating John Kerry or Ted Kennedy to the Catholic Church. Political figures look after their own interests; religious figures (clarification needed), look after the well being of their flock. That is what the Maronite Patirarch has done.

And, while I'm on the topic, Thank you! to the US Marines who flew the Patriarch back to home turf. While all were fleeing, he sought to return home to counsel, guide and comfort his sheep. First order of business was to insist that ALL Maronite clergy and laity take in and assist the refugees fleeing north into christian villages. That is the mark of a great shepherd!

---

Reuters - Thu Jul 20, 12:58 PM ET Lebanese Maronite Christian Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir (L) steps out of a helicopter in the U.S embassy in Awkar, in north Beirut, July 20, 2006 as he returns from his visit to the U.S.. A tiny U.S. Marine force landed in Lebanon on Thursday to evacuate Americans stranded by a nine-day-old Israeli bombardment, which has killed more than 300 people but failed to stop Hizbollah rocket strikes on Israel. REUTERS/George Abdallah (LEBANON)

---

But you already knew that didn't you.

Now I do! And .. if you care anything about the misery and suffering experienced by the Lebanese, you will open your checkbook and make a contribution to any one of the resources provided at the following link. Put your money where your mouth is. Make a statement of support and solidarity.

Salesians Sheltering Refugees in Lebanon - Situation Around El Houssoun Chaotic, Says Priest

The true test of our "concern for mankind" is evident in how we help our fellow man. Today, Lebanon. Tomorrow, ... the US?

[Hound of the Baskervilles]

"The good cardinal is doing what any of us would be doing in his position: standing with his people. It's unfortunate he has no authority over Hezbollah."

Screw condemning the kidnapping!!!! Unless one of his points condemns Hesbollah for vowing to destroy Israel and for actually trying to destroy Israel, this bishop can can go suck an egg for all I care. I am sick and tired of all this clerical sanctimoniousness and trying to be even handed between good and evil. As for standing with his people if any of them are standing with Hesbollah he should tell them they are in material cooperation with evil.

[Jorge]

Well, when you allow terrorists to operate freely out of your country.....I wonder what you expect the consequences will be? Duh?

[Hound of the Baskervilles]

Because Hesbollah has vowed to destroy Israel and because they deliberately target innocent civilians, I think the Vatican should announce that any Christian, including any Lebanese Christian who cooperates with or gives aid to Hezobollah is in material cooperation with evil and is danger of losing their immortal soul.

[NYer]

I do not need to see the video...I've seen and engaged in too much of it in the places I've been.

Then you understand that when one country issues a warning to evacuate and it is followed, there is no need to bomb a fleeing car carrying a family of 6. They are simply following instructions, and they were the fortunate ones to have a car in which to evacuate.

[sinkspur]

Because Hesbollah has vowed to destroy Israel and because they deliberately target innocent civilians, I think the Vatican should announce that any Christian, including any Lebanese Christian who cooperates with or gives aid to Hezobollah is in material cooperation with evil and is danger of losing their immortal soul.

The Vatican is not going to do that because it is not true.

These are deep-seated political divisions that go back years. I can understand why these churchmen say what they say, but they're not politicians and the Vatican has no geopolitical influence in the Middle East.

So, it sides with Catholics, knowing that the Israelis and the United States will pay absolutely no attention to what emanates from Rome or a cleric.

[NYer]

Well, when you allow terrorists to operate freely out of your country.....I wonder what you expect the consequences will be? Duh?

Well, when you elect liberals to government positions ... I wonder what you expect the consequences will be? Duh?

By your analogy, those who elect Barbara Boxer, Ted Kennedy, John Kerry, Hillary Clinton and all the other liberals, are perfectly sanctioned. Think about it!

[dervish]

"That would be comparable to equating John Kerry or Ted Kennedy to the Catholic Church. Political figures look after their own interests; religious figures (clarification needed), look after the well being of their flock. That is what the Maronite Patirarch has done. "

Okay for the moment let's have the debate on your terms -- Nasrallah Sfeir is the chief representative of the Lebanese Christians.

In his own words he endorses terrorists as . I guess killing Israeli children is okay as long as resistence fighters. He's not for peace. He's for killing Israelis.

.................

"PB: What do you think about the American administration and president Bush to label Hezbollah a 'terrorist organisation'? How much of terrorists are they?

Cardinal Nasrallah Sfeir: This is the question. Hezbollah and some other observers claim that Hezbollah is not a terrorist organisation: they are trying to liberate their land from occupation. We have to define what is terrorism and distinguish it from resistance. There is a huge difference between the two ideas.

PB: How would you describe the difference?

Cardinal Nasrallah Sfeir: When a people has its all territory occupied, it has the right to defend its territory, its land and its existence. If there is no peaceful means to push away the occupier, they can utilise the arms. This is resistance.

PB: From this point of view, are the actions taken by Palestinians, such a suicide attacks against the Israelis, terrorist attacks or acts of resistance?

Cardinal Nasrallah Sfeir: Of course these are acts of resistance, because every day they are being attacked and killed, their houses destroyed; there is bloodshed every day. Naturally they have to resist. "

http://www.orient.uw.edu.pl/balcerowicz/texts/Sfeir_en.htm

I give my money to Israeli victims. At least I know they are real and not faked or supporters of terrorists.

[dervish]

correction


In his own words he endorses terrorists as resistance fighters. I guess killing Israeli children is okay. He's not for peace. He's for killing Israelis.

[Hound of the Baskervilles]

"The Vatican is not going to do that because it is not true. "

But if they DID say it they would balance it by saying something bad about Israel. They are even handed between Israel and the terrorists and the terrorsist take advantage of it and it demoralizes Israel. When they condmen both sides they name Israel, but do they name terrorists groups? Do they condem Hamas or Hezbollah by name? Hardly ever that I know of. The Vatican can always be counted on to say something that "seems" to help the enemy. I am not saying this is deliberate but it's the exasperating result of their being "fair."