Al-Rahi Calls for Justice for Prisoners on Holy Thursday

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi washed the feet of 12 prisoners on

Holy Thursday, hoping for speedy trials of inmates and for successful rehabilitation programs to help them reintegrate in society.

In his sermon, al-Rahi called for faster ways to provide justice to prisoners, to speed up their trials and resolve the problem of overcrowding at Roumieh prison.

“The prisoner, even if he made a mistake once or twice in his life, should be treated with respect because he is a human being,” the patriarch said from Roumieh, Lebanon's largest prison, which has roughly 4,000 inmates.

Al-Rahi urged the authorities to help the inmates prepare them for their life outside the prison and for the society to accept them.

“The state should also resolve the reason for crime in Lebanon, meaning poverty,” the patriarch said.

Top security and military officials, priests, nuns and civil society representatives attended the rite in the courtyard of one of the blocks of the 200,000 square meter prison.

The feet washing ritual commemorates Jesus' gesture of humility towards his apostles the night before he was crucified.

Maundy Thursday is part of the Holy Week, which begins with Palm Sunday. It is observed a day before Good Friday.

G.K.

H.K.