Lebanon's Maronite bishops express solidarity with Iraqi Christians

Published: 2006-02-08

BEIRUT, Lebanon (CNS) -- Lebanon's Maronite Catholic bishops expressed sorrow for the recent bomb attacks on Christian churches in Iraq and noted the upcoming anniversary of the assassination of Lebanon's former prime minister. Previously, even in wars people avoided "the places of worship and civilians," said the Maronite Council of Bishops in a statement following their monthly meeting Feb. 1. Militants planted bombs that exploded near several Christian churches and the Vatican Embassy Jan. 29 in the Iraqi cities of Baghdad and Kirkuk. In addition to conveying their solidarity with Iraqi Christians, the bishops also remembered the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. "In a few days, Feb. 14, falls the anniversary of the assassination of the late Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, an event that caused a painful echo in Lebanon and in many world circles," the bishops said. "We hope that the investigation into his assassination results in discovering the doers and punishing them most severely so as to deter others from committing such condemnable crimes."

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