Church in Middle East Archives - Page 3 of 3

Mideast church leaders look to U.S., but want voice in own destiny

Oct 25, 2017

Lebanon’s proximity to conflict zones and its hospitality have made it a haven for those fleeing violence. Southern Lebanon shares a border with Israel. Eastern and northern Lebanon borders Syria; from Damascus, Syria to the border with Lebanon is only 15 miles. Lebanese Cardinal Bechara Rai, Maronite patriarch, said throughout history, “many of our challenges came from outside Lebanon.”

By Barb Fraze

Lebanese Church pioneers integration amid mounting native/refugee divide
- Oct 11, 2017
Faced with a stunning influx of 1.5 million Syrian refugees in a country whose population was only a little over four million to begin with, Lebanon is struggling to avoid fracturing along native/refugee lines. In the campaign to promote integration between the two groups, few social forces are as active as the Catholic Church, as both a school and a free meal service in the city of Zahle illustrate.

By Inés San Martín
Meeting Middle East Christians is where Western stereotypes go to die
- Oct 11, 2017
Many Westerners express sympathy for Christian victims of the genocide conducted by ISIS in Syria and Iraq, but might find actually listening to them a surprise. They’ll challenge Western stereotypes on at least three fronts: Syria’s Assad is a bad actor and must go; Hezbollah is part of Jihadism Inc. and a threat to Christians; and today’s most profound refugee crisis is in Europe.

By John L. Allen Jr.
Youssef Absi elected Patriarch of Melkite Greek Catholic Church
- Jun 24, 2017
The Melkite Greek Catholic Church, based in Syria and Lebanon and consisting of some 1.5 million members, elected its new patriarch Archbishop Youssef Absi. In a letter sent the day after his election, Pope Francis congratulated the new patriarch, noting the “delicate situation” for Christians in the Middle East.

By Catholic News Agency