Syriac Maronite Patriarch al-Rai and Greek Orthodox Archbishop Odeh emphasize state sovereignty

BEIRUT / BETH KERKE, Lebanon —  During his Sunday sermon, Syriac Maronite Patriarch Mor Bechara Boutros al-Rai stressed the need for an honest and open dialogue aimed at reconciliation and balanced participation in governance to rescue and reconstruct Lebanon.

The Patriarch emphasized that working together on fundamental issues and cleansing collective memory is essential for national unity, psychological stability and social security.

Al-Rai noted that the legitimacy of any authority in the state lies in the fact that they rejoice and resist together under the National Covenant, echoing Lebanese President Joseph Aoun’s remarks that the legitimacy of any authority in Lebanon lies in unity and coexistence.

Similarly, Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of Beirut and its Environs Archbishop Elias Odeh stated that after decades of conflict, only the state and the army hold the legitimate authority to protect all citizens.

In his Sunday sermon, Archbishop Odeh warned the Lebanese people of the severe consequences of neglecting state authority, stressing that disloyalty to national institutions threatens stability and pushes Lebanon toward destruction.

The Archbishop added that weakening the state weakens everyone, urging all entities, groups and individuals to recognize the gravity of the current crisis.

He cautioned that undermining Lebanon’s sovereignty endangers its future, particularly that of its children.