Maronite Bishops Back Baabda Declaration as Means to Stability

The Maronite bishops synod backed on Saturday the Baabda Declaration made following the national dialogue held last week, saying it guarantees security stability in Lebanon.

Following a six-day synod held under Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi in Bkirki, the bishops said in a statement they have high hopes on the all-party talks held under President Michel Suleiman.

They backed the declaration issued following the national dialogue session, saying it is a foundation for the end of the political, economic and social crisis in the country, and leads to security.

In the Baabda Declaration, 16 political leaders from both the March 8 majority coalition and the March 14 opposition agreed to avoid rhetoric that fuels sectarian incitement.

They also pledged to consolidate stability to prevent the country from descending into strife.

The bishops also urged authorities to implement a development plan for the industry, agriculture and tourism sectors and called for providing job opportunities for the Lebanese.

The statement said the bishops were looking forward for Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to Lebanon from where he will announce the apostolic exhortation, which represents the conclusion of a Middle Eastern synod in 2010 that emphasized the defense of Christian minorities in the region.

The Vatican said on Thursday that preparations for the pope 's trip to Lebanon in September are going ahead despite the escalating conflict in Syria.

"There is no uncertainty about the preparations," Benedict's spokesman Federico Lombardi said. "The Holy See is doing everything to make sure the trip takes place as planned" on September 14-16.

I.MEDIA, an agency specializing in Vatican news, had said Wednesday that the unrest in Syria and its impact on Lebanon had put Benedict XVI's visit in doubt.

The statement also praised al-Rahi for his tour of bishoprics in Lebanon and his visits to countries around the world where he met with Lebanese community members.

The bishops synod ended on Saturday with a mass that was celebrated by al-Rahi, who in his sermon, welcomed the election of five new bishops during the six-day gathering.