ASIA/LEBANON - Middle East in flames, Catholic Patriarchs in Lebanon call for an immediate halt to the spiral of violence and a return to constructive dialogue

Thursday, 5 March 2026 oriental churches   local churches   military   wars   geopolitics  

Beirut (Agenzia Fides) - In light of the “dangerous escalation of armed conflicts in Lebanon and the Middle East,” accompanied by the fall of so many "innocent victims, the displacement of families, and the worsening of humanitarian suffering,” the Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Lebanon call for “an immediate halt to the spiral of violence and a return to constructive dialogue and responsible diplomatic action, grounded in the pursuit of the common good of peoples who long for a peaceful life founded on justice and dignity.”

In a message released today by the Assembly of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Lebanon, the heads of the Catholic Churches of the Land of the Cedars join their voices with that of Pope Leo XIV (who visited Lebanon after Turkey on his first Apostolic Visit), echoing his words: “Violence is never the right choice, and we must always choose the good.”

Regarding the Lebanese situation, the Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops call on “those in authority to assume their full national responsibilities, to work toward shielding our country from regional conflicts, safeguarding its internal unity, and strengthening civil peace.” They also call on “all spiritual families, individuals and parties, to rally around the Lebanese government and its decisions, especially the restriction of arms to the authority of the State, in order to preserve state sovereignty, reinforce national stability, and avoid tampering with the destiny of the nation.” These references clearly refer to all the problems and conflicts associated with the operations carried out by the militias led by the Shiite Hezbollah party.

The Patriarchs and Bishops in Lebanon appeal to "the international community and the relevant institutions to exert every possible effort to prevent further escalation and to establish just solutions that safeguard the rights of peoples and protect human dignity." They also ask Lebanese Catholics and "all people of goodwill, asking them to extend assistance to their brothers and sisters who remain steadfast in their villages" and to persevere "in fervent prayer for peace in Lebanon and the Middle East."

They also renew their appeal "to welcome displaced civilian brothers and sisters and to receive them with the spirit of the Gospel."

The statement bears the signatures of the four Catholic Patriarchs who have their seat in Lebanon: the Armenian Catholic Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian, the Melkite Youssef Absi, the Syriac Catholic Ignace Youssef III Younan and Maronite Cardinal Bechara Boutros Raï (PR) (Agenzia Fides, 5/3/2026)

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