Pope in Lebanon: Messages of Peace, Unity and Coexistence
The occasion was the "historic" and "exceptional" visit paid by Pope Benedict XVI to Lebanon, a visit in which the pontiff took part in religious and political meetings and activities, and through which he delivered various messages of unity and understanding.
VISIT MORE THAN SUCCESSFUL...
For three consecutive days, the Lebanese were able to witness a new kind of "rhetoric", based on principles of peace, hope, coexistence and unity.
For three consecutive days, the Lebanese people proved to the whole world once again to be a model of coexistence and resisting strife.'
VISIT IN BRIEF...
Peace between warring factions and among the many religious groups in the Middle East has been a central theme of Pope Benedict XVI's historic visit to Lebanon, along with his call to Christians not to leave the region.
The pontiff, who arrived in Lebanon's capital Beirut Friday, in the third-ever visit by a Roman Catholic prelate to this Mediterranean country, was welcomed by politicians from all sectors. Leaders of the country's main religions all assured the Vatican of their support for the visit in advance.
During the visit's various activities and ceremonies, the pope urged Christians of the East not to be afraid and instead brave the difficulties they faced. He praised Lebanon's efforts to maintain dialogue among religions and described the country as an "example of coexistence in the Middle East and the world."
The religious leader said his visit aimed at delivering the post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation of the Special Assembly for the Middle East of the Synod of Bishop, which he described as a road map for Christians for years to come, and consecrating the work of the Maronite Church.
The main message was, however, delivered by the pope at the end of his three-day visit, when he urged Lebanese to reject strife and continue their model of coexistence. "I hope that Lebanon will fortify the communion among all its inhabitants, whatever their community or religion, that she will resolutely reject all that could lead to disunity, and with determination choose brotherhood," the pope also said.
Historic and exceptional; with these two words, most Lebanese hailed the visit of Pope Benedict XVI to Lebanon, a visit during which he has been feted as a man of peace and champion of religious tolerance. The main strength of the visit, Lebanese argue, was its "union" aspect. Indeed, all Lebanese celebrated through one hand the "rare" visit, believing such "unity" would be the main message to deliver to the whole world.
According to Father Abdo Abou Kassem, the visit's coordinator and the head of the so-called Catholic Media Center, the visit was special and successful. "This is not what we say and this is not how we judge it, this is what Lebanese people are actually saying," Father Abou Kassem told moqawama.org. He explained that the organizing committee was still evaluating its word, but people have already declared their verdict. "The visit was successful in form and content, and it has achieved its mission," he went on to say.
Father Abou Kassem revealed that the pontiff has personally expressed his happiness and satisfaction to the visit's organization. "The pope was very pleased with the visit's various activities; he was mainly satisfied with the people's reception, given that they came from all over the country to take part in the activities and that they were from all sects without exception, and this is what he noted in his speeches when he praised the coexistence model in Lebanon."
The pope showed his satisfaction in his farewell message, when he said: "you added something, which can be compared to one of those renowned oriental spices which enrich the taste of food: your warmth and your affection, which makes me wish to return."
MORE TO COME...
When Pope Benedict XVI waved goodbye to onlookers before boarding a Middle East Airlines Airbus 320 heading to Rome, the story could not end. It was only a beginning, as the pope made it clear Christians and Muslims must be united in celebrating peace.
Father Abdo Abou Kassem expected the visit would have positive repercussions on the general scene. "Nothing will remain the same, as the Synods which were signed during the visit is not a décor and should be implemented," he said. "Committees will be formed in Lebanon and the East to study every chapter of these Synods and implement it, especially in regards to the state of the church and its relation with other sects, in order to build a safe and secure society," he explained.
ROLE OF CHRISTIANS...
Many were the messages delivered to Christians in particular during the pope's visit to Lebanon, given that his visit came amid regional turmoil particularly in neighboring Syria. The pope actually called for the unity of Christians in the Middle East, and urged them not to abandon their land. He also called for interfaith dialogue as a means to bring peace to the region.
While noting Lebanese of different faiths welcomed the pontiff in his three-day visit, Father Abdo Abou Kassem spoke to moqawama.org about a role, which should be played by all Lebanese, Christians in particular, in the near future. "Christians are invited to take the initiative and strengthen the original coexistence formula of the country," he said. "This is not strange for Lebanon's Christians who have long been one essential faction of the nation's constituents," he added.
Father Abou Kassem concluded by urging all Lebanese to be witnesses of peace and love, altogether with their "brothers" in the country. "We all must continue to be a model of partnership with all parts of the country, regardless of their sect."
Source: moqawama.org
