LEBANON - For Maronite Synod, presidential vacancy is "unacceptable and dangerous," solidarity with Churches of Syria and Iraq [AN]

[Catholic_Press]

The bishops express their full support for the patriarch, who called on Michel Aoun and Samir Geagea to find a candidate that reconciles the parties. Bishops remember the two kidnapped Orthodox bishops, express fear for the transformation of the map of the Middle East.

More…

 

[MorEphrem]

This is indicative of a concern I have - the Maronite Church is now operating like a political institution approving and denying of political moves while not discussing liturgical and administrative challenges. The Synod of 2005’s executive summary reads almost like a sociopolitical manifesto positing the essential racial purity of Lebanese Maronites, who it unhistorically picks as the “original” Maronites, compared to the Maronites (Syrian/Palestinian/Jordanian/etc.) in the “Expansion.” While the Church exists to guide its flock it must first see to situations it actually has control over (like the liturgy, its people and its priests) as opposed to situations where they can only state normative views (like on the Parliament).

 

[malphono]

This is indicative of a concern I have - the Maronite Church is now operating like a political institution approving and denying of political moves while not discussing liturgical and administrative challenges.

Perhaps it’s better that way. One only need look at the Synod’s prior actions in matters ecclesiastical to see that.

The Synod of 2005’s executive summary reads almost like a sociopolitical manifesto positing the essential racial purity of Lebanese Maronites, who it unhistorically picks as the “original” Maronites, compared to the Maronites (Syrian/Palestinian/Jordanian/etc.) in the “Expansion.” While the Church exists to guide its flock it must first see to situations it actually has control over (like the liturgy, its people and its priests) as opposed to situations where they can only state normative views (like on the Parliament).

This is true to a point, but it’s far too complicated to go into on a public forum.

One thing I will say, though, is that there was no reason under the sun for the Synod to have considered local political matters. The Maronite bishops in Lebanon have a standing monthly meeting which is pretty much dedicated to such things.