Lebanese bishops discuss church's need for funding projects

Published: 2007-03-19

BEIRUT, Lebanon (CNS) -- Lebanon's Maronite Catholic bishops called for peace and democracy in Lebanon, and discussed the need for increased funding of the church's humanitarian projects. The church is in "dire need of funds to conduct humanitarian and charitable projects," said Cardinal Nasrallah P Sfeir, the patriarch of Lebanon's Maronite Catholic Church. "Though the church does not rely on money but on God, it still needs funds," he said during mid-March meetings in Bkerke, the headquarters of the Maronite church. "Without money we cannot open orphanages, hospitals, schools, nurseries and infirmaries, or execute any other project," the cardinal said. In a statement released after the March 12-13 meetings, the bishops said that Demianos Qattar, former Lebanese finance minister, offered the bishops several proposals "in a bid to improve the church's financial situation and develop its institutions."

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