During an interview with The Daily Star, Wadih al-Khazen discussed the Vatican’s hopes for the Middle East in light of Cardinal Robert Sarah’s visit to Lebanon.
Following his September visit to Lebanon, the pope has decided to devote further efforts to encourage Levantine Christians to stay in their home countries. He considers this especially important given Christianity’s origins in the region.
Benedict sent Sarah as his envoy to consult with senior Catholic officials, primarily Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Beshara Rai. He is tasked with gathering as much information as possible on the situation in Syria and its repercussions on Lebanon.
Khazen said that the Vatican was pushing strongly for all concerned states to stop arming groups in Syria, in order to spare the Syrian people further human and material losses.
In short, Sarah’s mission is to make inroads toward a political solution to the Syrian crisis.
Earlier this week, the pope called for peace in Syria but admitted that a planned Vatican delegation to the country would not be possible due to the security situation.
Instead, Sarah was sent to Lebanon and was instructed to look into the conditions of Syrian refugees.
Khazen added that the Vatican was now in talks with Western states and is urging them to adopt policies that would help achieve stability and security for Levantine Christians.
He said that contacts with some prominent Christian figures had indicated there was agreement between the Vatican, Rai and President Michel Sleiman on the importance of the Christian presence in Lebanon, and this would become clearer when Sleiman attends a Vatican ceremony later this month during which Rai will officially become a Cardinal.
The Vatican, Bkirki and Sleiman are working on a plan intended to enhance the presence of Christians in Lebanon, especially in public administration. Details of this plan are being kept secret in order to avoid political bickering.
According to Khazen, Rai’s insistence that political leaders attend the National Dialogue sessions, which Sleiman is trying to reconvene, is a result of his interest in strengthening intra-Lebanese relations because he considers national unity the best means to confront the dangers that surround the country.