Rai urges churches to close ranks, preserving Christian presence

Maronite Patriarch Beshara Rai said on Tuesday that Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant churches should close ranks to protect Christianity.     

During his meeting with Greek Orthodox Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and all Russia, Rai called for cooperating with the Russian Church to preserve the Christian presence amid the political conflicts sweeping the region.     

The Lebanese patriarch voiced fear that the Arab Spring would bring to power groups that threaten to destabilize the region and harm co-existence.    

Rai touched on the Palestinian question, saying that Palestinians have the right to a state of their own beside an Israeli state.    

In turn, Patriarch Kirill said that Christians are being oppressed and persecuted, stressing that “we cannot remain tightlipped amid these events.”    

Kirill voiced hope that “the Christian presence in the region will not be reduced amid the current events”, adding that “we live in the age of culture and adherence to human rights; the world must take actions for people should not be attacked in their homes and countries.”