Prot. №: 21/1/26/038
Statement issued by the Assembly of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Lebanon
In light of the dangerous escalation of armed conflicts in Lebanon and the Middle East, accompanied by the fall of innocent victims, the displacement of families, and the worsening of humanitarian suffering, the Assembly of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Lebanon expresses its deep concern over the current situation and over the risk that the region may slide into wider confrontations with grave consequences for its peoples.
The continuation of this spiral of violence threatens the dignity of the human person, which is a gift from God, and undermines the foundations of justice and stability. In the face of this painful reality, we join our voice to that of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, who emphasized: “Violence is never the right choice, and we must always choose the good”. This clear moral call reminds us that peace is not a secondary or temporary option, but a human duty and a collective responsibility. Therefore, we call for an immediate halt to the spiral of violence and a return to constructive dialogue and responsible diplomatic action, grounded in the pursuit of the common good of peoples who long for a peaceful life founded on justice and dignity.
From Lebanon, the land of message and coexistence, we call upon those in authority to assume their full national responsibilities, to work toward shielding our country from regional conflicts, safeguarding its internal unity, and strengthening civil peace. We also urge all spiritual families, individuals and parties, to rally around the Lebanese government and its decisions, especially the restriction of arms to the authority of the State, in order to preserve state sovereignty, reinforce national stability, and avoid tampering with the destiny of the nation.
We also appeal to the international community and the relevant institutions to exert every possible effort to prevent further escalation and to establish just solutions that safeguard the rights of peoples and protect human dignity, for justice is the sure path to a firm and lasting peace.
We address our faithful sons and daughters and all people of goodwill, asking them to extend assistance to their brothers and sisters who remain steadfast in their villages, and urging them to persevere in fervent prayer for peace in Lebanon and the Middle East, and for the safety of innocent civilians, so that leaders may choose the path of dialogue instead of destruction and pursue the common good rather than the tragedy of wars.
We also renew our call to welcome displaced civilian brothers and sisters and to receive them with the spirit of the Gospel, as the Lord Jesus said: “I was a stranger and you welcomed me” (Matthew 25:35), so that the witness of love may remain stronger than the logic of violence.
Finally, we entrust Lebanon, our region, and the whole world to Divine Providence, asking God to grant our troubled world a just and lasting peace, to guide hearts toward reconciliation, and to strengthen the steps of our Lebanese people on the paths of fraternity and harmony with a sincere national spirit, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, Queen of Peace.
Raphaël Bedros XXI MINASSIAN
Catholicos Patriarch of Cilicia of The Armenian Catholic Church
Youssef ABSI
Patriarch of Antioch and all the East, of Alexandria and Jerusalem of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church
Ignace Youssef III YOUNAN
Patriarch of Antioch of the Syriac Catholic Church
Bechara Boutros Card. RAI
Patriarch of Antioch and all the East
