"The Christianity of history is not Protestantism. If ever there were a safe truth it is this, and Protestantism has ever felt it so; to be deep in history is to cease to be a Protestant." (-John Henry Newman, An Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine).

"Where the bishop is, there let the people gather; just as where ever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church". -St. Ignatius of Antioch (ca 110 AD)a martyr later thrown to the lions, wrote to a church in Asia Minor. Antioch was also where the term "Christian" was first used.

“But if I should be delayed, you should know how to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth.” 1 Timothy 3:15

"This is the sole Church of Christ, which in the Creed we profess to be one, holy, catholic and apostolic." -CCC 811

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Hariri: Maintaining Christian Presence in Mideast is Wealth for Arabism, Islam

Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri
Beirut, Lebanon , Naharnet - Prime Minister Saad Hariri said on the occasion of the conclusion of the Synod held in Rome under Pope Benedict XVI that maintaining Christian presence in the Middle East is "wealth for Arabism and Islam."

"The Vatican's call to hold a special assembly to discuss the situation of the Christians in the East is a positive and constructive initiative, because it aims to address the situation of the Christian communities in the countries of the Middle East, which have been witnessing for the last few decades a decline in their presence due to various factors," Hariri said.

"Complying with the results of the synod is the duty of every Arab and Muslim, because preserving such firmly implanted and historically deep-rooted presence in the Arab and Muslim societies is wealth for Arabism and Islam and for the crucial issues facing us, primarily the Palestinian issue," he added in a statement.

"In addition to the fact that Christian thinkers enriched the Arab national thought and were pioneers of Arab renaissance, their participation in confronting the Zionist scheme is a necessity so that the Muslims don't stay alone in the confrontation and so that Arabism does not remain restricted to Islam.

"Moreover, coexistence over the generations proved its success and usefulness. And the attachment to it at this particular time where there is a dire need for dialogue and convergence of religions and cultures has to be translated into an atmosphere that would sooth the Christians and keep them from emigrating from the region which is considered the cradle of monotheistic religions.

"Lebanon is the country of dialogue and convergence. It is the model which the diversified communities aspire to. This requires protecting and preserving the Lebanese formula in a way that serves not only the values, but also the interests of everyone in the Middle East and the world, because a stable Lebanon is a living proof of the success of religious diversity and the benefit of cultural exchanges and mutual contributions in a way that serves world civilization."

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