Pope's Lebanon trip: an Orthodox perspective

(Vatican Radio) Pope Benedict’s forthcoming visit to Lebanon is a “real blessing for the country and for the whole of the Middle East”. That’s according to an Orthodox priest at St Michael’s parish in Beirut who teaches at the Catholic Notre Dame University. Fr Boulos Wehbe says the Orthodox community in Lebanon is very enthusiastic that the Pope is coming with a message of “hope, determination and reconciliation”.
Fr Boulos, who also serves as coordinator of the country’s joint Christian education committee, says “Lebanon is the most ecumenical country on the planet” as exemplified by a joint education programme that has been drawn up – the first one in the world.

Listen to Tracey McClure’s interview with Fr Boulos Wehbe

Fr Boulos says there is no official census but there are thought to be around 400.000 Orthodox Christians in Lebanon divided into six dioceses under the auspices of the Patriarch of Antioch who is based in Damascus…

One of the most pressing problems, he says, is a growing Islamic fundamentalism …but also the challenge of secularism and a lack of commitment to the faith….

Fr Boulos resides in the Muslim part of Beirut and says his people work together in an harmonious pattern of daily life. But he adds, this cooperation should be strengthened and supported at government level….