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PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.armenianorthodoxchurch.org/
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version: http://www.armenianorthodoxchurch.org/v04/doc/Arme nian.htm
"THE TIME HAS COME FOR INTER-CHRISTIAN DIALOGUE AND UNITY"
SAYS HIS HOLINESS ARAM I
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia, released the
following statement to the media on 6 August 2007 on the occasion of the
bi-elections in the Metn area in Lebanon.
"Sunday August 5 was a sad day for the Christian community. I followed the
elections in Metn with pain and anxiety, asking myself why this fury and
mutual accusations? Couldn't we have avoided this tense situation? For sure
we could have. Patriarch Sfeir worked on bringing about an understanding. I
did my best especially during the last week. Others also made attempts.
However, the Christians of Metn went to the ballot with divided spirit,"
Catholicos Aram I said.
"The election's results are secondary. What is worrying is the division
among Christians in Lebanon and the Metn area in particular and the
confessional and political consequences of that division," the Pontiff
continued.
His Holiness said: "Let no one celebrate his victory. There are no victors.
It is Christian unity that was defeated in the face of division.
Let no one look for people to blame. All the Christian political forces are
equally responsible for the current sad situation because they only pursued
their personal interests, disregarded the collective Christian interest,
used the people and incited them against each other.
Let no one allow himself to speak against the dignity of the Lebanese
Armenian community. I can understand the angry statements made during
elections on issues related to elections. However, I find unacceptable
incorrect attributions and baseless accusations made by some against the
Armenian community. The history of the Armenians of Lebanon and their
national position are well-known to everyone. The Armenians of Lebanon do
not need lessons in patriotism from anyone. The Lebanese Armenians are
themselves examples of patriotism."
Reaffirming the Armenian community's full commitment to Christian unity and
Christian-Muslim coexistence, His Holiness said: "As an indivisible part of
the Lebanese family, Lebanese Armenian community will continue, with renewed
will, to actively participate in all the efforts aimed at securing
independence, sovereignty, integrity and unity in Lebanon. Through the
Catholicosate of Cilicia based in Antelias, the Armenian community of
Lebanon, which is the heart of the Armenian Diaspora, will continue working
for a strong Lebanon on an external front as well."
The Catholicos then called for "avoiding statements that incite provocation
and opening a new page in the life of the Christian community through
dialogue and mutual understanding. The church has an important role to play
in this respect. Internal Christian harmony is the base of Christian-Muslim
coexistence and the unity and strength of Lebanon."
##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
the mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, http://www.armenianorthodoxchurch.org The Cilician
Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is located in
Antelias, Lebanon.
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.armenianorthodoxchurch.org/
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version: http://www.armenianorthodoxchurch.org/v04/doc/Arme nian.htm
"THE TIME HAS COME FOR INTER-CHRISTIAN DIALOGUE AND UNITY"
SAYS HIS HOLINESS ARAM I
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia, released the
following statement to the media on 6 August 2007 on the occasion of the
bi-elections in the Metn area in Lebanon.
"Sunday August 5 was a sad day for the Christian community. I followed the
elections in Metn with pain and anxiety, asking myself why this fury and
mutual accusations? Couldn't we have avoided this tense situation? For sure
we could have. Patriarch Sfeir worked on bringing about an understanding. I
did my best especially during the last week. Others also made attempts.
However, the Christians of Metn went to the ballot with divided spirit,"
Catholicos Aram I said.
"The election's results are secondary. What is worrying is the division
among Christians in Lebanon and the Metn area in particular and the
confessional and political consequences of that division," the Pontiff
continued.
His Holiness said: "Let no one celebrate his victory. There are no victors.
It is Christian unity that was defeated in the face of division.
Let no one look for people to blame. All the Christian political forces are
equally responsible for the current sad situation because they only pursued
their personal interests, disregarded the collective Christian interest,
used the people and incited them against each other.
Let no one allow himself to speak against the dignity of the Lebanese
Armenian community. I can understand the angry statements made during
elections on issues related to elections. However, I find unacceptable
incorrect attributions and baseless accusations made by some against the
Armenian community. The history of the Armenians of Lebanon and their
national position are well-known to everyone. The Armenians of Lebanon do
not need lessons in patriotism from anyone. The Lebanese Armenians are
themselves examples of patriotism."
Reaffirming the Armenian community's full commitment to Christian unity and
Christian-Muslim coexistence, His Holiness said: "As an indivisible part of
the Lebanese family, Lebanese Armenian community will continue, with renewed
will, to actively participate in all the efforts aimed at securing
independence, sovereignty, integrity and unity in Lebanon. Through the
Catholicosate of Cilicia based in Antelias, the Armenian community of
Lebanon, which is the heart of the Armenian Diaspora, will continue working
for a strong Lebanon on an external front as well."
The Catholicos then called for "avoiding statements that incite provocation
and opening a new page in the life of the Christian community through
dialogue and mutual understanding. The church has an important role to play
in this respect. Internal Christian harmony is the base of Christian-Muslim
coexistence and the unity and strength of Lebanon."
##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
the mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, http://www.armenianorthodoxchurch.org The Cilician
Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is located in
Antelias, Lebanon.