For Lebanese Christians, Cardinal Sfeir is their hope for future

Published: 2006-06-09

BEIRUT, Lebanon (CNS) -- For Lebanese Christians, Cardinal Nasrallah P. Sfeir, Maronite Catholic patriarch, is their hope in an uncertain future. "The patriarch should be credited really for being the only voice calling not only for Lebanese sovereignty, but also for the values that we all need for an independent, democratic and free Lebanon," said Farid el Khazen, a Christian member of Parliament and professor of political science at the American University in Beirut. "He has a great knowledge of Lebanese politics," said el Khazen. "For this reason, he was able to make such an important impact on Lebanese politics at a time when Lebanese politics was difficult to handle: in wartime Lebanon when he was elected patriarch and in postwar Lebanon when Lebanon was under Syrian control." Cardinal Sfeir, 86, is known for his keen intellect, artful diplomacy, openness, prudence, tenacity and humility. He was instrumental in the 1989 Taif Agreement, which ended Lebanon's civil war and gave Muslims a greater role in the country's political system. He was known for his outspokenness against Syria's occupation of Lebanon and for working to unite the Lebanese.

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