Al-Rahi Warns against Divisions as he Opens Meeting of Catholic Patriarchs

Maronite Partiarch Beshara al-Rahi warned on Thursday against political divisions among the Lebanese and said the country's economic crisis had dangerous repercussions.

In his opening statement of the Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops held in Bkirki, al-Rahi lamented the lack of dialogue and said the political crisis has further widened the gap among the different parties.

“The crippling economic and social crisis warns of severe dangers,” the patriarch, who was officially appointed Cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI last month, added.

The Council will meet behind closed-doors for three days.

Last year, the Council called on the Lebanese government to honor its commitments to international resolutions and urged people from various sects and political affiliations to consolidate national unity.

They said the Lebanese should adopt a calm dialogue to help the state assert its sovereignty over all its territories and the independence of decision-making away from foreign meddling.