Rai holds SESOBEL mass, defends stances

Maronite Patriarch Beshara Rai celebrated the 35th anniversary of SESOBEL with a festive mass at Bkerke, as he retaliated to his critics, describing his stances as peaceful.      

SESOBEL is a non-governmental organization founded in 1976 by Yvonne Chami. It offers a coherent and monitored service of assisting disabled children and accompanies their families as partners in facing life's challenges.         

The mass was attended by Apostolic Nuncio, Gabrielle Caccia, Cardinal Nasrallah Sfeir, representative of President Michel Sleiman, Nehmetallah Abi Nasser, French Ambassador Denis Pietton, along with a crowd of concerned society members.      

The Patriarch's stance from the Arab Spring, particularly from the situation in Syria, has placed him in an undesirable position with supporters of the people's uprising.       

"The church needs you to face slander and smearing campaigns from within and outside [the country], caused by our call and commitment for truth, justice, unity and rejecting violence," said Rai during his mass.