The Maronite Church
Páginas: 3 (655 palabras)
Publicado: 9 de mayo de 2012
THE MARONITE CHURCH: UNITED AND UNIVERSAL
An apostolate for this age - a strategic vision
"Lebanon could be one of the world’s strongest countries if it better utilized thepotential of its Diaspora."
His Beatitude Nasrallah Butros Cardinal Sfeir(11/28/01)
Introduction
The Lebanese outside of Lebanon vastly outnumber those in Lebanon. This is especiallytrue of the Christians, and the Maronites in particular. Those Maronites are numerous and influential on an individual basis. Most, however, shun involvement with organized groups dealing withsocio-political issues concerning Lebanon and the Christians due to the fractured approach and the myriad of elements supposedly acting on behalf of the Maronites in Lebanon. These Maronites of the Diasporahave an opportunity to influence the outcome of deliberations concerning socio-political issues in Lebanon and the Middle East if they unify under, and maximize the resources of, the Maronite Churchunder the strong leadership of the Patriarch.
Background
Throughout history the Maronite Patriarchy has played both a religious and political role in Lebanon and the Middle East. The Patriarch hasbeen a diplomatic force for the building of consensus among divergent religious and political elements. It commands the allegiance and obedience of all of the bishops in Lebanon and the trust of thefaithful. As time passed, there has been a geographical shift in the location of the Maronites. Many of them live outside of Lebanon. Many are shepherded by bishops while others are not. There islittle universal respect for the humanitarian, social, economic, or political efforts of the Patriarchy either among the bishops or the faithful today. This leaves the Patriarchy weakened to a greatdegree, especially as it represents the Maronite will and leads to anarchy among the various elements purporting to represent the position of the Maronites
The Present
From Lebanon, the...
An apostolate for this age - a strategic vision
"Lebanon could be one of the world’s strongest countries if it better utilized thepotential of its Diaspora."
His Beatitude Nasrallah Butros Cardinal Sfeir(11/28/01)
Introduction
The Lebanese outside of Lebanon vastly outnumber those in Lebanon. This is especiallytrue of the Christians, and the Maronites in particular. Those Maronites are numerous and influential on an individual basis. Most, however, shun involvement with organized groups dealing withsocio-political issues concerning Lebanon and the Christians due to the fractured approach and the myriad of elements supposedly acting on behalf of the Maronites in Lebanon. These Maronites of the Diasporahave an opportunity to influence the outcome of deliberations concerning socio-political issues in Lebanon and the Middle East if they unify under, and maximize the resources of, the Maronite Churchunder the strong leadership of the Patriarch.
Background
Throughout history the Maronite Patriarchy has played both a religious and political role in Lebanon and the Middle East. The Patriarch hasbeen a diplomatic force for the building of consensus among divergent religious and political elements. It commands the allegiance and obedience of all of the bishops in Lebanon and the trust of thefaithful. As time passed, there has been a geographical shift in the location of the Maronites. Many of them live outside of Lebanon. Many are shepherded by bishops while others are not. There islittle universal respect for the humanitarian, social, economic, or political efforts of the Patriarchy either among the bishops or the faithful today. This leaves the Patriarchy weakened to a greatdegree, especially as it represents the Maronite will and leads to anarchy among the various elements purporting to represent the position of the Maronites
The Present
From Lebanon, the...
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