Lebanon: Pastor on need for mutual respect

(Vatican Radio) Monsignor Sharbel Maroun is a Lebanese-born Maronite Pastor who is leading a group of American pilgrims to Lebanon to see Pope Benedict during his pastoral visit to the nation. He spoke to Vatican Radio's Tracey McClure about the importance of interfaith dialogue, the ecumenical dialogue and the need for the West to support Christians living in the Middle East.

Listen to the extended interview with Monsignor Sharbel Maroun:

Monsignor Sharbel says that the "preservation of Christianity" in this region is "most important" and that the "support of the West for the East" is "needed at this time more than ever before."

He also stresses the importance of dialogue between all parties, saying there is a need for Catholic Churches of different rites to work more closely together. "No matter what tradition you belong to, he says, "Christians are called to work together."

Monsignor Sherbel says this need for dialogue and mutual respect also applies to relations between Christians and Moslems in the Middle East. "We (Christians), he declares, belong as much as they (the Moslems) in these lands." "I look upon a Moslem as my brother" and I expect them to do the same towards me, " adding .. "I'm not a second class citizen."