ASIA/LEBANON - The annual Synod of Maronite Bishops begins in the sign of silence and conversion

Thursday, 22 October 2020 middle east oriental churches penance reconciliation geopolitics

LEBANON

2024-04-16
Is there an attempt to destabilize a country shaken by the economic crisis and the conflict in the Middle East?

2024-04-09
Cardinal Raï, Patriarch of Antioch of the Maronites calls for calm after the murder of a member of the Lebanese Forces

2024-02-22
Ecumenical WCAL-Group: "Unbearable atrocities" waged against Palestinians in Gaza

2024-01-04
Maronite bishops sound the alarm: escalation of war has already affected Lebanon

2023-09-26
500 young people from the Churches of the Middle East pray for the next General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops

2023-08-03
Precarious truce in the Ain Al Hilweh refugee camp after a night of violent clashes

Bkerké (Agenzia Fides) - The annual Synod of the Maronite Bishops began under the sign of silence and "metanoia", i.e. personal and community repentance and conversion. On Wednesday 21 October, the Maronite Bishops gathered at the Patriarchate of Bkerké, under the presidency of Patriarch Bechara Boutros Rai,, to take part in the assembly which each year marks the culmination of the joint synodal planning of the Maronite Church in the next 12 months.
As is tradition, the first days of the assembly, until next Saturday, have the character of a spiritual retreat. As Patriarch Rai pointed out in his opening address, this is intended to help "read, under the gaze of Christ the Lord, Supreme Priest and the Good Shepherd, our lives and actions and the exercise of pastoral authority in the light of the example that Jesus Christ Himself gave us".
On the opening day, the Maronite Bishops prayed the Rosary together "for the salvation of Lebanon and the world". The prayer was broadcast live on Noursat TV television canne. With the act of repentance and reconciliation - underlined the Maronite Patriarch - all Bishops will be able to ask for the support of divine grace for their lives and their pastoral ministry and recognize that our personal sins are not only abusing God, but also the Church and the community . And when we repent of our sins, we are reconciled with God and with the community".
Starting next Monday, the Synod will deal with pastoral, ecclesiastical and administrative issues after the days of spiritual gathering and discuss the current social, economic and political crisis situations in Lebanon in this historical phase.
In this context, the Maronite Bishops also want to contribute by improving the charity and social welfare services that have already been introduced for the benefit of the entire population. (GV) (Agenzia Fides, 22/10/2020)