Lebanon: Armenian Patriarch says Christian emigration is a disaster

(Vatican Radio) The Armenian Catholic Patriarch, Nerses Bedros, says the continuing emigration of Christians from the Middle East is "a disaster" especially as those leaving are often the best educated and talented. He was interviewed by Vatican Radio's Tracey McClure about the challenges facing the Catholic Church in the Middle East and also spoke about his expectations with regard to Pope Benedict's pastoral visit to Lebanon.

Listen to the extended interview with the Catholicos Patriarch of Armenian Catholics, Nerses Bedros:

The Armenian Patriarch says some of the challenges facing Lebanon include "a lack of political security" which, he says, is having a negative influence on the nation's economy. When it comes of the issue of emigration of so many Christian families, he describes this as "a disaster" partly because this leads to the "lack of a Christian presence to give to non-Christians the real image of the true Christian life and the testimony of the joy of being Christian."

Asked what he hopes Pope Benedict's visit will accomplish, the Armenian Patriarch says it will bring great "joy" to the Catholic community in the Middle East and will remind them of that "memorable" first papal visit to Lebanon by Blessed Pope John Paul in 1997.