Rai calls for reconciliation

Maronite Patriarch Bechara Rai thinks it's high time for the Lebanese to confide in each other despite a wide gulf of differences separating them .

Rai's prompting came during a dinner party given by the Foundation of Lebanese Diaspora in Montreal-Canada .

Speaking at Queen Elizabeth hotel, Patriarch Rai addressed a group of High -ranking Canadians including members of Parliament ,social and media magnets and Christian - Muslim dignitaries.

Members of the Lebanese Diplomatic corps were also invited.

Rai urged Canadians of Lebanese extraction to reclaimed their nationality as their inalienable right .

He commended Lebanese Expatriates for their resilience and adaptability to their host environment. Rai spoke about a story of success of expat Lebanese and urged them to complement the national, social, cultural, economic and political integration.

While urging them to abide by the laws of their respected north American host countries, he wanted to see them returned to the flock of their congregation namely to the bosom of the Sacred Mother Church .

He also urged them to cooperate with one another than fruitlessly competing for petty material thinks. The Patriarch urged them to raise their children in the image of the Church.

He spoke about the traditional role of Lebanon through history and that the Maronite  had a special message to the world.

Rai saluted President Suleiman and urged the International Community to regard Lebanon as a mainstay for inter-civilization dialogue.

Rai concluded by saying that "we should not watch idly Arab developments around us ,we really wish to see dignity and liberty come to the Arab world. Our message to the world is that of non -violence and peace.

He predicated a major regional Lebanese role on our ability to remain united and dissociate from interfering in the affairs of any Arab state.