Patriarch al-Rahi  welcomed and praised as he thanks Australia

"He asks International Community to work hard through the UN to stop sending weapons, money and Says Enough is Enough"

27/10/2014

(Translation of this article appears in Arabic section)

Sydney- M. E. TIMES Int'l: The Maronite Patriarch currently in Australia on a two-week pastoral visit. His Beatitude Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros al-Rahi thanked the Australian Government for helping Christians and other refugees in the Middle East to stand their ground.

The Maronite Archdiocese in Australia also organised a function at "La Montage" in honour of Maronite Patriarch Mar Bechara Boutros al-Rahi, at the invitation of the pastor of the diocese, Bishop Antoine Charbel Tarabay.

The celebration was attended by NSW Premier Mike Baird, MP Philip Ruddock MP, (representing Prime Minister Tony Abbott), Miled Raad (charge d'Affaires of the Embassy of Lebanon), Archbishop Paul Gallagher (Papal Nuncio), Bishop Anthony Fischer of the Archdiocese of Sydney, MPs, ministers and Senators, bishops representing eastern sects, presidents of the four Lebanese Maronite congregations, Maronite Patriarchate Institution for Comprehensive Development , Maronite World Foundation, heads and members of municipalities, representatives of the Lebanese parties, heads of associations and institutions, clubs and associations.

The celebrations were started with a prayer by Papal Nuncio Paul Gallagher for peace in Lebanon and the Middle East and he thanked Cardinal Al-Rahi for his visit. Then Lara Taouk Suleiman and Nissrine Khadra introduced the Diocese patron, Bishop Tarabay who welcomed Patriarch Al-Rahi. He praised the role of the Maronite community and paid tribute to the Lebanese and Australian armies.

Mr Sfeir

Mr  Salim Sfeir, chairman of Bank of Sydney and deputy of the global Maronite Patriarchate Institution for Comprehensive Development, welcomed patriarch Al-Rahi and Bishop Tarabay and talked about the idea of "the establishment of the Foundation out his eagerness and commitment to the future of young people in Lebanon in order to deepen the Maronites relationship to their land, create jobs for youth and find development projects to revive rural areas and countryside. "

Mr Ruddock

Mr Ruddock, on behalf of Mr Abbott,  welcomed Patriarch Al-Rahi on his first visit to Australia and expressed concern about “current events in Lebanon” saying "the Christians of the East are going through a difficult phase," stressing that "Australia will do what it takes to help them”.

Premier Baird

NSW Premier Mike Baird welcomed Patriarch Al-Rahi, noting that his first visit to Australia will deepen relations between Australia and Lebanon; he thanked His Eminence for his role and courage, saying, "The world needs faith".

He also noted the role of the “sons of the Lebanese Maronite Church and the community," praising the services and achievements of Marie Bashir, the former NSW Governor.

The word of patriarch al-Rahi was introduced at the end of the ceremony by journalist Anwar Harb.

Cardinal Al-Rahi

Patriarch Rahi began his speech by calling for a minute of silence and prayer in honour of the souls of the Lebanese army martyrs who have recently fallen in Tripoli, he said: "Today, as the military institution, which is the honour and dignity of the Lebanese, is assaulted and insulted again in Tripoli, I announce from Sydney our absolute support for this institution and call for unity to provide political, moral and material support. We extend our sincere condolences to the victims’ parents, and wish full recovery for the injured. As for the security forces, all success, prosperity, growth, stability and victory over the enemies of Lebanon everywhere on Lebanese territory”.

“Thanks to our communities of Lebanon and the countries of the Middle East, for their support of their parents in our countries, in order to preserve their existence, their identity, their traditions and their message in this Levant, where Christ has established his First Church, where they continue proclaiming the Gospel of salvation and peace, the gospel of truth of God and man, the Gospel of brotherhood and love, the Gospel of the dignity of the human person, the sanctity of life and the absolute sovereignty of God.

“Christians are not a minority in this Levant. Historically, they have been there for more than 2000 years ago, they are the basis in the culture and civilization of their own countries, where they are original true citizens. Theologically, they are the Church and secret of  Christ existing in the countries of this Levant. How much do the countries of the Middle East -- dominated today by war, conflict, hatred, assault, murder, violence, fundamentalism and displacement -- need a Christian presence.”

He appealed to the “Arab States to put an end to the state of war between them”, in Syria and Iraq in particular. He called on the international community to put an end to the causes of these wars and work hard through the United Nations to stop sending weapons and money and provide political cover for the belligerents and engage them in dialogue”.

“Everyone should say: Enough of war, murder and destruction! Enough of violence and arms trade! Enough of the attack on innocent citizens, their displacement and expulsion from their land in the thousands and millions! Enough of support for terrorist fundamentalism organisations that distort the face of religion, having tarnished the humanity of their followers! Enough of using demolition, murder and creating chaos for political, economic and strategic ends.”

He said that "what is happening on the Levant is a disgrace to humanity and both the Arab and international families, and on the head of the 21st century, the century of technical progress, cultural prosperity and globalization”.

“We from Australia call on the Arab states and the UN to help displaced persons, migrants and unjustly expelled from their homes and lands, to cover all their needs, and return them with dignity and full citizenship rights to their cities, towns and villages, and enable them to live in peace and tranquillity at home."

After that, al-Rahi presented the Patriarchate Medal to NSW Premier Mike Baird.