Aoude Criticizes Aoun”s Comments

Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Beirut Elias Aoudeh expressed aggravation over insulting religious leaders after MP Michel Aoun said Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir does not represent public opinion.

 

Aoudeh, in a sermon during New Year”s mass Tuesday, criticized “low-standard morals” and “insulting” religious leaders.

 

The Free Patriotic Movement leader on Monday said Sfeir represents the Church and not public opinion.

 

The Patriarch, Aoun said, “is free to express his opinion regarding the political situation … but he does not decide our constitutional powers on behalf of us.”

 

He asked Sfeir to “clarify what is being said” about Bkirki”s support for Premier Fouad Saniora”s government.

 

Sfeir, however, refrained on Tuesday from directly mentioning Lebanon”s presidential crisis during his sermon. He rather focused on Pope Benedict XVI”s appeal for world peace.