Statement issued by the Secretariat of Syriac Catholic Patriarchate of Antioch

(translated from Arabic language, on 5 August 2020)

Patriarch YOUNAN deplores and condemns the horrific explosion in the port of Beirut

    After the horrendous explosion that rocked the city of Beirut and its suburbs, on Tuesday, August 4 2020, and had a huge impact on whole Lebanon, Ignatius Youssef III YOUNAN, Patriarch of Antioch for Syriac Catholic Church issued the following statement:

    With an immense pain and great sadness, we deplore and condemn in the strongest terms the horrific explosion that ravaged yesterday evening the port of Beirut, and shook very violently this historic city and its suburbs. Lebanon as a whole was horrendously hit with catastrophic consequences: hundreds of dead, thousands of wounded and a tremendous amount of destruction.

    Our thoughts go to Lebanon, a nation that has known, in recent years, calamities of every kind. We offer our warm condolences to the families who have lost their beloved ones, true martyrs of modern Lebanon. We pray for the healing of the injured and the rescue of those still missing from the horrific explosion that rocked a large area.

    We value all relief, aid and assistance provided to those affected, especially for the people of Beirut and its suburbs. We also call upon the Lebanese civil authorities, those remaining among the honest and non-corrupt officials in our country, if they still exist! We remind them of their national responsibilities, while dealing with the repercussions of this terrible explosion. We urge them to quickly offer the needed assistance and relief to stricken Beirut and its inhabitants.

    We also call on all citizens to unite in a spirit of harmony and brotherhood, in order to recover from this catastrophe. All Lebanese are needed to save their broken nation before it collapses for good, God forbid!

    We exhort the Arab nations, international countries and all organizations of good will, to mobilize their joint efforts to come to the aid of so many distressed people. We thank and appreciate all initiatives extending helping hand to Lebanon.

    On our part, at the Patriarchate, we have directed our clergy and laity members, either in parishes or charitable associations, to respond to each and every need. We are convinced that persons come first and all available capabilities have to be disposed that our community may live in dignity.

    It is to Our Lord that we should have recourse, imploring him, through the intercession of our Heavenly Mother the Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Deliverance, to save Lebanon and protect its people in these times of trial and from any new danger. We trust Jesus who promised us: “Do not be afraid ... Behold, I am with you all the days until the end”.

    The Secretariat of Syriac Catholic Patriarchate of Antioch