Patriarch Rai mocked by a Saudi newspaper

A criminal complaint has been filed against the Saudi newspaper al-Watan over the publishing of a cartoon mocking Maronite Patriarch Beshara Rai and criticizing his visit to Syria, according to a report by LBC (more…)

Patriarch Al Rai’s brother Salim passed away

Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Mar Beshara Boutros Al-Rai’s brother Salim Al-Rai passed away after a long illness at Hotel Dieu hospital Saturday morning, according to Bkirki and hospital sources .

His funeral will be held on Sunday in Hamlaya, Metn about 20 kilometers northeast of the capital, Beirut. (more…)

Rai accuses March 14 of obstructing state institutions

Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Bechara Boutros al-Rai indirectly criticized March 14 alliance without naming it, accusing it of obstructing the state institutions for political gains, according to a report by National News Agency. (more…)

Patriarch Rai wraps up Shouf visit by meeting Jumblatt

Christian Maronite Patriarch Beshara Al-Rai concluded his 2 day visit to the Shouf region by meeting with National Struggle Front leader MP Walid Jumblatt at the Moukhtara mansion.

Addressing the Patriarch, Jumblatt said: (more…)

Patriarch calls for new leadership in Lebanon

Maronite Patriarch Beshara Rai called for new leadership in Lebanon that will work for the sake of the public good, stressing that the Lebanese people should start evaluating their representatives with a free conscience.

“The fate of the country must no longer be in the hands of those who are not concerned with its fate,” he stressed in his Sunday sermon (more…)

Religious Leaders in the Public Square

By Ghassan Karam
“The closest thing to democracy (in the Arab world) is Syria” thus spoke the Maronite Patriarch Al Rai.