The Holy Father has landed in Lebanon at the start of his historic three-day visit. To mark this, our consultant on the Middle East North Africa region, Dr Harry Hagopian, has just recorded his latest preview clip.
Today, we discuss the potential impact of the visit on the country’s Christian communities and those of the wider Middle East.
“As Christians we know our ministry is one of reconciliation and bridge-building – we try to avoid violence and enhance cooperation between peoples and communities.
“What I am worried about is that there is a perception amongst many people, whether political pundits or observers, that many Christians are siding with autocratic, totalitarian regimes at the expense of the people who are fighting revolutions that call for human dignity, freedom and citizenship rights.
“I know that both sides have their hands bloodied and that the situation is very difficult; but Christian communities, largely Arab, across the whole of the Middle East and North Africa have to be careful that when the dust has settled, they do not end up on the wrong side of history. That they actually end up on the right side of history.”
Listen to Dr Harry Hagopian on AudioBoo, embedded in the top right-hand corner of this page, or follow us: audioboo.fm/catholicchurch
lbpapalvisit.com
Official website for Pope Benedict’s Apostolic Visit to Lebanon 2012
vatican.va
Speeches, homilies and information from the official website for the Holy See
noursat.tv/en/
Lebanese Christian TV
catholicnews.org.uk/harry-hagopian
Dr Harry Hagopian’s profile
epektasis.net
Dr Harry Hagopian’s website
