On behalf of myself, Fr Badaoui and my Brother Priests, we would ...

O n c e a g a i n l e t u s t u r n t o T h e H o l y F a t h e r : “ Y o u a r e n o t w h a t t h e y s a y y o u a r e : L e t m e r e m i n d
you who you really are”
I f L e b a n o n i s a “ M e s s a g e o f F r e e d o m a n d H o p e ” , t h e n a l l L e b a n e s e a r e m e s s e n g e r s o f f r e e d o m
and hope. Each community is a servant under this banner.
A s a M a r o n i t e t h i s i s o f s i g n i f i c a n c e t o m e .
Jesus of Nazareth has told us what to do and the Maronites are trying to show us how to do it.
We as Maronites - with our separate Rite - within the bosom of Mother Church, are different for
and not different from our fellow brothers and sisters.
V a t i c a n C o u n c i l i s s p e c i f i c o n t h i s p o i n t . ( V a t i c a n c o u n c i l 2 , D e c r e e o n t h e C a t h o l i c E a s t e r n
Churches Page 441 to 444)
What does this mean?
In Lebanon our families and our people have to work and co-operate with all sectors and
c o m m u n i t i e s f o r t h e c o m m o n b e n e f i t o f a l l . O u r P o l i t i c i a n s , w h o m u s t b e t r u e r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s o f
the people of Lebanon, have to seize the day (“Carpe Diem”)and seize the moment with both
hands and with open hearts.
Syria and Zionism are out and please God democracy is in. Lebanese politicians have stated
openly that The Syrians will always be our brothers and sisters, not our masters.
S i x t h o u s a n d k i l o m e t e r s s o u t h o f L e b a n o n i s a L e b a n e s e S o u t h A f r i c a n c o m m u n i t y t h a t b e l i e v e s
in our Lebanon. It has given us our faith. It has given us our families.
It has give us the financial skills to earn by labour and only by labour so that we are not
d e p e n d e n t o n t h e s t a t e . ( G i b r a n )
I t h a s g i v e n u s o u r f e l l o w s h i p s o t h a t t h e L e b a n e s e a r e f r i e n d l y a n d h o s p i t a b l e ( c u l i n a r y a r t s ) t o
all. Maurice Toweel, famous boxing promoter of the world renowned boxing family quotes:
”If you have a Lebanese friend you have a friend for life but if you have an enemy, God help you”.
Ex President of the Republic of Mexico quotes: ”If you do not have a Lebanese friend, go out and
find one”.
So it is family, faith, finance and fellowship, like the four legs of the table.
Each must be equally balanced so that it remains sustainable.
This is only part of the message.
Mar o n i t e Me m o 16