طر: علاقة بكركي بالحزب ليست مقطوعة
Maronite Patriarch Bechara Rai is visiting the southern region today, accompanied by a delegation, to assess the conditions of the Southerners and support them during these critical times. In a statement to "Al-Anba" electronic newspaper, Bishop Paul Matar revealed that "the visit resulted from a meeting of the patriarchs, bishops, and Maronite and Catholic archbishops, where it was agreed that His Beatitude Patriarch Rai would visit the south, specifically the Diocese of Tyre, to check on the congregation, followed by a visit to the diocese of the Greek Catholics in the city for the same purpose, and a similar visit to the Dar al-Fatwa and the Islamic Shiite Higher Council.” Matar noted that Rai intended to visit the Christian villages in the southern regions, but escalating security tensions prevented this, leading to the current planned visits. Regarding the meeting with Hezbollah representatives, Matar confirmed that the relationship between Bkerke and the party is not severed, and it is expected that members of Hezbollah may be among those welcoming Rai in Tyre.
In a separate statement made by the mayors and influential figures from the towns of Ramesh, Ain Ebel, and Dibb, they expressed their joy and pride regarding the visit of His Beatitude Patriarch Mar Bechara Peter Rai to Tyre under the banner of solidarity with the south. They hope for a blessed and fruitful visit, especially as His Beatitude has made a series of significant statements regarding the aggressions faced by the south, including their towns and villages, due to Israeli attacks and violations accompanied by displacement nearly amounting to forced migration. They expressed a heartfelt wish that His Beatitude's visit would also include the towns that are home to congregations of the Maronite Church and sister churches, so that the remaining families feel the spiritual and moral care they hope for.
The statement further emphasized that His Beatitude's field visit to check on the congregations is entirely feasible, especially since some of the local residents remain alongside the priests, and others continuously come to check on their families, homes, and properties. They acknowledged the potential security precautions but stressed that the towns themselves have not been targeted by shelling or bombardments, which sometimes affect their surroundings due to the exchange of fire and Israeli aggressions claiming to respond to shelling originating from the vicinity of their towns. On behalf of the residents, they wished for His Beatitude to honor their towns with a visit, which would bring his paternal blessing, as this would be a source of deep comfort and exceptional encouragement to steadfastness in their land, allowing them to always remain behind their shepherd and all the honorable shepherds, a symbol of their presence in the land trodden by Our Lord Jesus Christ.
