Political Reactions Continue Against Maronite Patriarch, Aoun Not to Attend Traditional St. Maroun Mass
Political reactions continued to surround Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir”s remarks last Friday to the weekly al-Massira magazine: "If power shifts to March 8 Forces and March 14 Forces ceased to have power, mistakes would be committed that would weigh historically on the national fate,"
Change and Reform parliamentary bloc leader MP Michel Aoun, is said not to attend Monday”s traditional St. Maroun mass service on Monday. Aoun is scheduled to chair a meeting of the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) at Rabieh at the time.
The daily al-Nahar said on Sunday that it has learned from FPM sources that Aoun”s absence from the annual traditional mass "has no political significance," adding that the FPM representatives would be attending the mass.
On Friday Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir voiced fear about some attempts to remove President Michel Suleiman and warned of "historic mistakes" if March 8 Forces come to power.
"Everybody has to bear the responsibility," Sfeir stressed. "Some errors could have grave consequences."
He said some people wanted to replace Suleiman, which could "seriously tip the balance" in favor of the minority March 8 alliance.
"The centrist (parliamentary) bloc is subject to a strong local and regional campaign. This bloc would bring equilibrium to political stagnation" in the country, he said.
FPM MP Kamil Khoury, told al-Manar TV on Saturday that he hope that the patriarch”s statements were not true, "I cannot imagine that Bkirki being an authority for Lebanese unity would say that the (parliamentary) opposition that represents 50 to 60% of Christians in the country would constitute a danger."
He added that the FPM and Aoun are ready for the parliamentary elections.
Former Prime Minister Omar Karami said: "Religious authorities should not get involved with alleyways of politics … any clergyman who becomes a party to politics would be criticized."
"Unfortunately they (clergy) want this, so let them be responsible for it," he added.
Monday”s mass would be attended by President Michel Sulieman, Prime Minister Fouad Saniora and parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. Former President Emile Lahoud only attended the traditional mass that celebrates the day of St. Maroun once during his term of office.