Christians Under Fire

There are some pieces showing up occasionally that treat of the Christians in the Lebanon but not very many. I've seen none in the Times since the last time I mentioned it here. But that's to be expected. Rather more sadly I've seen very little concern for the fate of the oldest Christian communities in the world from professedly Christian blogs in this country while Israel can do no wrong. Any criticism of tactics is equivalent to bigotry.

This description of the terror in Christian villlages appeared in the press yesteray:

The archbishop of nearby Tyre visited yesterday to steel the spirits of those who had remained behind.

"We are caught in a conflict of Jews and Muslims. We have a mission of peace," said Monsignor Nabil Hage as he walked slowly through Ain Ebel's deserted streets. "This is a holy land. Christ passed here, the Virgin Mary passed here, the apostles passed here. It is a holy land that we must defend."

At the sight of the archbishop, tearful residents came running out of their homes to greet him.

"Pray for us!" a middle-aged woman wailed. "Give us hope!"

And the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem prays for peace here:

The publication of his message coincides with the start of the traditional period of prayer and fasting for the feast of the Assumption of Mary. The patriarch said: “This year, we will fast and pray for peace, for the end of hostilities in Gaza and South Lebanon. We pray for all the parties involved, Palestinians, Israelis and Lebanese. To all of them we wish peace and security.”

As does Cardinal Sfeir, the Maronite Patriarch:

During Mass held today at the summer seat of the patriarchate in Dimane (north Lebanon), Patriarch Sfeir said: “This morning the bad news reached me about the murder by Israel of 50 defenceless civilians in the village of Qana, a village that has already tasted the bitterness of death and hatred in the not distant past, again at the hand of Israeli forces. Once again I make my appeal, launched on Friday together with all the Maronite bishops, for an immediate ceasefire. Lebanon is no longer able to endure, our people is in agony while the world looks on. The crime of Qana must be condemned by all.”

The patriarch also reiterated his request to “open humanitarian corridors and to respect the life of each and every person, which is a gift from God”.

As does the Holy Father, Pope Benedict:

“In the name of God, I appeal to all those responsible for this spiral of violence to immediately lay down their weapons on all sides! I ask rulers and institutional institutions not to spare any effort to attain this necessary cessation of hostilities. . . .I entrust this heartfelt appeal to the intercession of Mary, Mother of the Prince of Peace and Queen of Peace, so venerated in mid-eastern countries, where soon we hope to see reigning that reconciliation for which the Lord Jesus offered his precious Blood.”

A Maronite Archbishop stays with his flock:

Archbishop Chucrallah-Nabil El-Hage, Maronite Catholic Archbishop of Tyr, went into the hills of his war struck archdiocese yesterday, in search of those who have been unable or unwilling to abandon their homes. . . .In a visit to the mostly Christian village of Ein Ibil, the archbishop encountered an abandoned convent and 20 of his flock still in the town, who rushed to greet him.

. . . .

"This is the Holy Land," the archbishop said. "We have a spiritual mission as Christians here to bring peace between Jews and Muslim people. I am coming here to tell the people who have stayed that they are the ones who will bring a new spring. I pray to God that Lebanon may be protected and will continue its mission to the world as a country where different religions and cultures have come together, and not a country of conflict."

Hezbollah Uses Christian Villages As Shields in Missile Attacks