Catholics, Muslims call for reconciliation, peace in Lebanon

Published: 2007-10-30

BEIRUT, Lebanon (CNS) -- Lebanon's Catholic and Muslim leaders met at the compound of a prominent Marian shrine and called for unity amid the tumultuous political situation in their country. "The unity toward which we aspire as believers and that we aim to live as citizens is a unity that comes to us from God, the one, who created us as one soul. It is accepting others as being part of our personal identity, our spiritual itinerary and our national life," the religious leaders said at their Oct. 27 meeting. They called for prayers for reconciliation, brotherhood and spiritual solidarity and condemned all violence that threatens unity and peace, particularly in Lebanon. "We aim that our national life be the sincere expression of this commitment carried out in conformity with our social culture and patriotic message based on unity and peace," they said. "For unity does not mean melting or fusing, nor does it aim at eliminating specificity of persons or communities; it is not the victory of an opinion or group and the defeat of the other or its marginalization," the statement said.

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