Maronite Patriarch Bechara Peter Rai presided over the Divine Liturgy today, Sunday, at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bkerke. The Commander of the Army, General Joseph Aoun, attended the mass after meeting with the Patriarch to thank him for his condolences following his mother’s passing.
In his sermon, Patriarch Rai stated that “every responsible leader should realize that he is a steward appointed by the people and the constitution to serve the common good; if he doesn’t realize this, he is betraying his responsibility and the citizens.” He emphasized that leaders must be faithful and wise, undertaking their responsibilities under God’s watch.
He said, “Lebanon desperately needs great leaders selflessly dedicated to the spirit of service; the Baabda Presidential Palace needs such a leader.” He noted that “there are well-known figures within the Maronite community who embody this type of leadership.”
Patriarch Rai again urged the Speaker of Parliament to convene the legislative council and elect a president, stating: “This is their first duty to their national conscience and their representative role according to the constitution. Continuing to refrain from this duty is a clear betrayal of the trust the people placed in them when they elected them. We hope they won't embody the saying: ‘Whoever participates sells you.’”
He added: “No more closures of the Baabda Presidential Palace! No more exclusion of the Maronite community, which is the fundamental element in the formation of Lebanon!” He addressed the MPs: “Fulfill this duty entrusted to you by the people and the constitution, and elect a president for the state to emerge from its state of strife and disintegration, particularly your legislative council, which has lost its legislative authority, and the government, which lacks procedural authority. Stop the nonsense of ‘legislation of necessity’ and ‘appointments of necessity’, and focus on the one and only necessity, which is electing a president so that all your institutions and practices can regain their legitimacy.”
He added: “Lebanon is a state over a hundred years old, having gained dignity and a prestigious name among nations. Uphold this dignity and restore it to greater Lebanon with its values and to its people with their dignity.”
Patriarch Rai confirmed that “returning to the constitution will remove disputes, end boycotts, ensure national unity, and confront intimidation threats against national partnership and equality.” He concluded his sermon with a prayer to St. Sharbel, asking for the election of a president and an end to the war in Gaza.
