Vatican Radio report" Preparations for the Pope's upcoming visit to the country continue. The visit is scheduled to take place from September 14 to 16 – and the sense of anticipation among the Lebanese Christian community is strong. The General Treasurer of the Syrian Catholic Patriarchate in Lebanon, Msgr. George Masri, told Vatican Radio the Holy Father's visit is an event of hope for the whole Church, especially for his community, which constitutes a small minority who, he says, "live their witness with blood."
“We are,” he continued, “a Church of martyrs - but at the same time we are a minority living through trust and hope in Jesus Christ.”
Asked about the impact the Pope's visit might have on dialogue among Christians and Muslims in the broader region, Msgr. Masri said that, although “dogmatic” dialogue is difficult, “The Holy Father gives confidence and courage,” that help Lebanese Christians to conduct what he calls a “living dialogue,” with their Muslim neighbours. “We have great hopes for the visit of the Holy Father,” he said, “and we are preparing, Christians and Muslims, in this great event. We hope that the dialogue between us and our Muslim brothers can remain a dialogue of true coexistence.”
SHARED FROM RADIO VATICANA
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