Where God Weeps - the suffering church in focus
Countries » Lebanon
The situation of the church in Lebanon
Lebanon is experiencing a period of serious tension as it makes the long road to recovery following the 2006 'July War' between Hezbollah, a Shi'a hard-line movement, and neighbouring Israel. The conflict left more than 1,000 people dead, mostly Lebanese civilians, and displaced up to one million people. The country's infrastructure was also severely crippled.
Article 9 of the constitution establishes respect for all religions and guarantees them autonomy on issues such as marriage and inheritance. The balance of power in Lebanon shows how religious differences are never far beneath the surface. The president of the republic is always a Maronite Catholic, the presidency of the Council of Ministers is the preserve of a Sunni Muslim and the parliamentary Speaker has to be a Shi'a Muslim. Religious communities are also represented in parliament according to fixed quotas. But despite the tensions, Lebanon has long held a reputation as being the best in the Middle East for religious freedom. Religious groups are permitted to organise their own schools, associations and religious courts.
However, Christians experience latent persecution, and the Islamization of society poses a threat to them. In the Chouf region, where more than 50 percent of the population are Christians, there are no Christian employees in government. In July 2007, Maronite Bishop Béchara Rai of Byblos spoke out against the "Islamization schemes" for Lebanon. Bishop Rai also accused the government of behaving as though Lebanon was "a theocratic Islamic State", in choosing to sign the "Charter of children's rights in Islam" (Decree 636). He said: "With this decree, the government is ignoring the presence of the Christians and infringing Article 9 of the constitution, the coexistence pact and the particular and specific character of Lebanon, transforming it into an Islamic state and society." Bishop Rai asked the government to withdraw the decree - later presented to Parliament as a draft bill - and thereby safeguard religious liberty in the country.
Thousands of Iraqi refugees arriving in Lebanon have been refused temporary legal status by the authorities. The refugees, many of them Christians, are therefore left with only two choices: prison or returning to Iraq. Bishop Michel Kassarji of Beirut reported that he was caring for 800 families (up to 5,000 people), almost all of whom were illegal immigrants. Lebanon has Palestinian refugee camps dating from the 1948 conflict, but has never signed the 1951 International Convention on Refugees. As a result, the government refuses access to foreign refugees other than those granted a temporary permit by the UN en route to another country.
[i] as-Safir, 06.07.2007.
How you can help
Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) supports several projects in Lebanon. You can support these projects by donating via their national offices.
Below you can find one or more finished projects ACN supported in the past.
-
Lebanon is seen in the Church as a bastion of Christianity in the Middle East. Unlike other countries in the Arab world, the country has a wealth of Catholic universities, and many priests from other countries are trained here. However, given the clashes between Shi'ite Muslims and Israel in recent years and combined with the current institutional crisis, there is a need in Lebanon for people who can rebuild the country again. Read more >>
-
Over the past 30 years Islamic fundamentalism has steadily increased in Lebanon. This fact has led Christians to reflect increasingly on their own faith. The number of vocations among Catholic and Orthodox Christians is growing and, given the immense importance of Church life for the Christian population in the country, it seems increasingly necessary that we should support them. Read more >>
Statistics
Population: 4.00 Million
Christian Population: 2.00 Million
Religious statistics:
Christian 54%
Muslim 45%
Other 1%
Breaking News from Lebanon
- 05/10/2011: Lebanon: Abiding Presence
- 05/05/2011: Lebanon: A testimony of faith
- 07/07/2010: Middle East: Crisis at the Crossroads
Lebanon's Christian example - Short film
Lebanon's Christian example (audio)
Lebanon - Spring in the Desert
Lebanon's Christian example