The Shepherd Announces the Launch of the "Christian Development and Coordination Council"

Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros al-Rahi announced during his sermon at Sunday Mass yesterday in Dhimane, the launch of the "Christian Development and Coordination Council," which will be overseen by the Archbishop of Antelias, Bishop Antoine Bou Najm. Al-Rahi indicated that this council "includes a group of experienced and specialized Lebanese individuals who are determined to establish practical developmental solution projects to help address social, economic, and developmental issues burdensome to citizens, and to coordinate with all active and living community forces to achieve these goals." A meeting took place between Patriarch Al-Rahi and council members after the Mass in the patriarchal residence in Dhimane. After the meeting, Bishop Bou Najm clarified, "We have launched this council's project, and with God's power and the Holy Spirit, it will begin its work for the good of our Christian and Lebanese community in general." Founding member Fouad Abu Nader noted that the council's headquarters would be located in the Maronite Archdiocese of Antelias, adding that "the council has two main goals: the first is development, to give hope to our people so that they can endure and remain in this country, and the second is to coordinate among all the active forces in our community to create synergy and unify efforts for a comprehensive strategic vision."