Maronite Patriarch Discusses Church Growth, Security, and Humanitarian Aid in Lebanon and Overseas

The Maronite Patriarch Mare Barthal Peter the Shepherd convened with various church and security delegations at the Patriarchal residence in Baraki. The discussions focused on the pastoral conditions of Maronites in regions affected by proliferation and security developments in Lebanon, alongside reviewing several Liberian and church-related files.

During these meetings, the pastor of the Maronite parish in Australia, New Zealand, and Oceania met with Archbishop Antoine Sherbel Tarbeh. The visit aimed to assess the pastor’s health and was accompanied by an update on the parish’s initiatives, including the construction of seven new churches and the development of pastoral centers in Sydney, Brisbane, and New Zealand.

The Maronite community has experienced steady growth, with approximately 1,500 Maronite baptisms recorded, alongside around 1,000 baptisms in Latin churches. The Patriarch emphasized the importance of coordination with Latin parishes to ensure the registration of new members and the preservation of Maronite church identity.

The discussions also addressed the needs of about 200 Maronite families in New Zealand, the necessity of securing new priests, preparations for the Sydney International Conference in 2028, and the review of certain liturgical texts and tunes. The Patriarch also informed the Patriarchs of his plan to send five containers of humanitarian aid from Sydney to Lebanon for Caritas.

In another meeting, the Patriarch, alongside Father Tony Red, discussed the proposal to include the Day of Creation in the liturgical calendar. They agreed to designate September 1st as a day for prayer and reflection on the mystery of creation. The project was decided to be presented to the Catholic Eastern Patriarchate Council, in coordination with his Secretary-General, Father Jean Younis.

It was also agreed that the closing prayer for the prayer week for the Christian Unity in Kirki would take place on Sunday, January 24, 2027, at 6 p.m., involving church presidents, monks, young men, and the clinical community.

The Patriarch received a visit from Lebanese Army Intelligence Officer Brigadier-General Pierre Farah, who provided an overview of the security situation, particularly in the south, and regional developments affecting internal stability.

The Patriarch praised the sacrifices of the military, highlighting the army as the dignity of the nation and the fundamental guarantee of Lebanon’s unity and sovereignty. He commended the security efforts of the army intelligence services in Mount Lebanon, especially in Kasrawan, for maintaining security and stability amid challenges.

In Los Angeles, the shepherd of the Maronite parish of the woman of Lebanon, Archbishop Elias Abdellah Zeidan, was also involved in ongoing efforts to support the community.

Source: Read the original report (translated from Arabic)