“War is only a pretext used to justify evil and criminal acts. This entire situation, both in Lebanon and in the Middle East, cannot be justified. If there is the possibility to speak, to engage in dialogue and to find diplomatic solutions, why renounce it? For one more metre of land? For one more litre of oil? Nothing justifies war”. His Beatitude Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian, Armenian Catholic Patriarch of Cilicia, said this as he arrived in Rome from Beirut. We immediately ask him whether he has any news from the Armenian Catholic community in Tehran. He replies: “Unfortunately not. We have tried to get in contact with them but have not succeeded. We could not establish any contacts”.
But have they left the country?
No, even the bishop has remained there.
Are you concerned about this silence?
Of course.
Could you describe the situation you left in Beirut?
Unfortunately, there is chaos. The population is being deceived. They are told: “We will bomb this area, so leave your homes and go away”. But this warning indirectly becomes an occupation of the territory. Out of fear, people move away; everything is destroyed, and then their land is taken. At that point, the displaced are no longer able to return and reclaim their homes.
It is a deception. The crime of war is not enough: there is also moral deception.
How is the Christian population of the country reacting?
They have welcomed and continue to welcome their brothers and sisters, both Christians and non-Christians. One can truly see the authentic Lebanese character: there are differences, but when danger arises, they all stand together.
Did you expect this situation?
I did not expect it. Yet there is a proverb that says that someone who has been bitten by a snake is afraid even of a rope. Once you have suffered an attack, when you later see an attempt at dialogue or hope for an agreement, you always fear that something might happen that will strike and ruin everything. That is what is taking place. Even when they seem almost close to an agreement — think of the United States and Iran — something happens that destroys everything.
Your Beatitude, what legacy did the Pope leave to this Lebanese land, marked by so many cultures and religions?
Hope. A great hope. But he also left something more: the feeling that we are not alone, that the Church and the head of the Church think of their children in this land. We are not forgotten.
Would you like to make an appeal to the world leaders involved in this crisis?
I repeat the words of Pope Leo: “Peace is holy, not war”.
This is our mission on this earth: to work for peace. This is divine, holy, sacred. Not war.
On 13 March, the Italian Bishops’ Conference has called for a day of prayer for peace, particularly for the Middle East. Do you have an appeal to the Churches in Italy and in Europe?
First of all, I would ask them to pray. Prayer is essential. It is the strongest, invincible weapon. But at the same time, we also have a duty towards our governments, in Europe, in the Americas and throughout the world:
to appeal to the conscience of each person and encourage world leaders always and only to pursue the path of peace.
Prayer contributes half of the journey towards peace. The other half lies in seeking neither to encourage nor to take part in wars. For this reason, we must also pray for political leaders, that the Lord may grant them His charity and His mercy and help them free themselves from every feeling of rivalry and violence.
