Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros al-Rahi, said Sunday that Lebanon could not be unilateral in religion, color, party, sect or political opinion.
Presiding over Sunday Mass in the Cathedral of St. Maroun in Zahle, as part of his pastoral tour in the region, the Patriarch deemed that the city of Zahle was "a model of unity, but also of diversity; a model on which Lebanon's religious and political culture is based."
He stressed that no group, party, religious or sectarian community was able to govern the country alone, adding that Lebanon's nature does not tolerate the isolation or marginalization of any party.
"This Lebanese privilege is the basis of the democratic system stipulated by the Constitution, and the basis of coexistence between Christians and Muslims, the foundation of equality in rights, obligations and partnership, balance in governance and administration and the establishment of all public liberties," al-Rahi went on.
He referred to the democratic system also as being "a pillar for national dialogue" which places the interest of Lebanon above all.
The Patriarch considered that these characteristics entailed that Lebanon be recognized as an "international center for dialogue of religions, cultures and civilizations" by the United Nations, in accordance with the project proposed by the President of the Republic to the UN General Assembly.
Al-Rahi concluded by outlining three basic conditions in support of this three-dimensional project, namely "to live this dialogue internally in all its dimensions, to maintain Lebanon's neutrality vis-à-vis regional and international conflicts, and ensure its commitment to promoting and defending the causes of justice, peace and human rights in the region."
TWEET YOUR COMMENT