FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Washington, D.C. - March 2, 2022

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Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) Supports the Statement of Peace and Fraternity from US and European Catholic Bishops in support of the Church and People of Lebanon

 

Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) calls attention to the ongoing economic crisis in Lebanon and recognizes the crisis as one of the greatest economic catastrophes of our time. CMEP lauds the US and European Catholic Bishops for their message and stands with them in their support of the church and the people of Lebanon. 

CMEP affirms His Holiness Pope Francis’ identification of the coexistence between Christians and Muslims in Lebanon as a “universal message of peace and fraternity” and while they presently experience great challenges and economic hardship, we hold onto the hope for change and a better future. 

CMEP calls on U.S. Christians and the American church to stand in solidarity and send material support to partners in Lebanon. CMEP affirms the statement of the US and European Catholic Bishops  which calls on international governments, including the United States, to: 

  • support Cardinal Raï’s (The Patriarch of Antioch) appeal for action through the United Nations to find a solution to the crisis, upholding Lebanon’s independence, sovereignty, and neutrality
  • safeguard the right of Lebanese citizens to choose their own representatives in free and fair elections, including through the offer of independent electoral observers
  • assist the establishment of good governance, honesty, transparency, and accountability in the service of Lebanon’s people.

We join in prayer with our Catholic brothers and sisters, CMEP’s member communions, and people of all faiths in His Holiness Pope Francis’ petitions for peace. 

 

The Statement “Lebanon, the Message of Peace and Fraternity, is in Great Danger” was released on March 1, 2022 and can be found here and below. 

American and European Bishops united in support for the Church and people of Lebanon

It has been a year since His Beatitude Cardinal Béchara Pierre Raï, the Maronite Patriarch of Antioch, called for an international conference to protect Lebanon.

Lebanon has long been an example of coexistence between Christians and Muslims. It is “a universal message of peace and fraternity arising from the Middle East” (Pope Francis). For many of its people, this current time is marked by pain, poverty, and despair. However, there remains hope for change, to protect the unique character of their country.

We have heard the warning of Pope Francis that “Lebanon is in great danger” and his appeal for us to turn our minds to the “unprecedented crisis” it faces. We support the Holy See’s continued efforts to seek peace in Lebanon. We pray that Archbishop Paul Gallagher’s calls for dialogue during his visit in February will bear lasting fruit.

The global community must stand alongside all those working to keep alive the principles that shaped Lebanon’s constitution and helped to end conflict through achievements such as the 1989 Taif Agreement and 2008 Doha Agreement. 

We therefore urge our own governments to:

  • support Cardinal Raï’s appeal for action through the United Nations to find a solution to the crisis, upholding Lebanon’s independence, sovereignty, and neutrality
  • safeguard the right of Lebanese citizens to choose their own representatives in free and fair elections, including through the offer of independent electoral observers
  • assist the establishment of good governance, honesty, transparency, and accountability in the service of Lebanon’s people.

Our nations also have a responsibility to provide relief for those affected by the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe, including both Lebanese citizens and the many refugees who have fled from neighboring countries. We are grateful for the humanitarian work of Catholic agencies and encourage our own communities to sustain their efforts.

Above all, we invite the faithful to join us in prayer for Lebanon. In the words of the Holy Father: “May the night of conflicts recede before a new dawn of hope. May hostilities cease, disagreements fade away, and Lebanon once more radiate the light of peace.”

Bishop Udo Bentz
Auxiliary Bishop of Mainz (Germany)
Chair of the Working Group on the Middle East
German Bishops’ Conference

Bishop Michel Dubost
Bishop Emeritus of Evry-Corbeil-Essonnes (France)
Apostolic Delegate for the “Foyers de Charité”

Bishop Garry Gordon
Bishop of Victoria (Canada)
Chair of Episcopal Commission for Justice and Peace
Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops 

Bishop Declan Lang
Bishop of Clifton (England and Wales)
Chair of the Department for International Affairs
Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales

Bishop David J. Malloy
Bishop of Rockford (USA)
Chair of the Committee on International Justice and Peace
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

Bishop Bertram Meier
Bishop of Augsburg (Germany)
Chair of the Commission for International Church Affairs
German Bishops’ Conference

Bishop Rimantas Norvila
Bishop of Vilkaviškis (Lithuania)
President, COMECE Commission on EU External Relations

Bishop Marc Stenger
Bishop Emeritus of Troyes (France)
Co-President, Pax Christi International


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Formed in 1984, Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) is a coalition of 30 national church communions and organizations, including Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, and Evangelical traditions that works to encourage US policies that actively promote a comprehensive resolution to conflicts in the Middle East with a focus on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict. CMEP works to mobilize US Christians to embrace a holistic perspective and to be advocates of equality, human rights, security, and justice for Israelis, Palestinians, and all people of the Middle East.

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