Patriarch: We Will Donate Financial Amounts to Assist the People of the South

Maronite Patriarch Bechara Al-Rahi, during his sermon at the divine liturgy in Bakirköy, pointed out that "yesterday a delegation from the border towns came to us and explained their sufferings; 70 percent have fled to Beirut, Kesrouan, and Jbeil, and schools have closed." He added, "The delegation came requesting educational, health, and food assistance and calling for security in the area, to avoid tensions and ensure people's movement to their work. This requires much self-restraint, wisdom, and avoiding war and its calamities." He noted that "in this atmosphere, and to celebrate the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, the Council of Patriarchs and Bishops, which convened from November 6 to 8, has decided that the patriarchates and religious orders will donate financial amounts and that collections on Sundays will be allocated, in addition to the amounts provided by the patriarchates, to assist the afflicted and poor people in the south." He considered that "the collection of offerings in churches is fundamental to acts of piety toward God." He continued, "The parliamentary council is intentionally not fulfilling its basic duty of electing a president for the republic, and the caretaker government is divided among itself due to the constant boycotters, thus hindering progress while the people suffer financially from these practices." He added, "You, the obstructers, have no right to continue not electing a president, nor do you have the right to create crises and side contracts instead of immediately proceeding with the election of a president to resolve your issues. You also have no right to tamper with the stability of institutions, foremost among them the army."