By Marcelle Mansour

Sts Michael & Gabriel Antiochian Church held its annual Dinner on Friday 28th August 2015 at the Bellevue Reception Centre, under the patronage of His Eminence Metropolitan Archbishop Paul Saliba of the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines. The ceremony was attended by a crowd of priests, heads of organisations and social leaders with the participation of a large number of other churches parishioners with nearly 400 people.

Bishop Saliba threw an expressive speech on this happy occasion where he highlighted the importance of nurturing the rising generation of children and youth of the community, he also praised the continued support of the church from all aspects.

The Parish Priest of Sts Michael & Gabriel Antiochian Church, Rev Fr Michal Zghaib thanked all the attendees including businesspeople, leaders of organisations, the media and all the flock of various dioceses. Then he delivered a brief speech in which he stated: “It is the one hundred percent responsibility of the church to provide spiritual and religious education, while building the actual church is the responsibility of the people and the parishioners.” Fr Zghaib also highly praised all the parishioners for their fruitful contribution and tireless work and cooperation with all other churches. He also mentioned the main objective of the ceremony of this annual dinner is to get together to preserve the Christian presence in the light of love and peace. 

The ceremony included performance of creative singers: Vicky Maroun, John Khalil, Ghazi Nasouh Sayed Fares, as well as some sponsorships, donations and community activities.

The event was successful especially was attended by many of parishioners of other churches in an atmosphere of intimacy and love, as described by Father Michel Zghaib as: “A loving ceremony gathering dinner”.

In typical form, Reverend Nile makes his shameless speech that underscores the failure of this State to protect its citizens from such open unashamed attack on Australians of other faiths.

The Hon Member forgets that he is supposed to be a man of the cloth, a religious man who is supposed to spread the word of peace, harmony and acceptance. 

Here is his speech which he delivered at NSW Parliament tonight : 

Reverend the Hon. FRED NILE [3.33 p.m.]: I speak on the senate inquiry into third party food certification. Imagine we had a religious tax on almost every product available to purchase—products from food to pharmaceuticals to cosmetics. Imagine that companies were charged fees for inspections and for the products to be prayed over. Imagine the outrage of the Australian people. IIt seems impossible to imagine that Australians who objected to such activity would be labelled as racists and bigots; that those who objected to such a scheme were dragged through the courts. It seems absurd, but that is precisely what is happening in Australia—and to Australians—with halal certification fees.

Halal certification fees are a religious tax paid by every consumer in Australia. Halal certification schemes are a transfer of wealth from the average Aussie and Australian producer and manufacturer to promote a religion that advocates the abuse of human rights. Aussies are often unwitting participants because products are not labelled clearly. Producers and manufacturers of said products are not always frank and honest with their customers. It is unacceptable that all Australians are being forced to pay a religious tax. The Government is complicit in this fundraising venture. A good is produced, the halal tax is added, then the 10 per cent goods and services tax is added. The State is directly benefitting from the religious tax—something that is clearly anti-constitutional. Consumers across Australia have rightly expressed their anger at this scheme through the current Federal senate inquiry into third party certification.

Australians are concerned about third party certification, most notably halal certification. This is clearly demonstrated by the fact that the current Federal senate inquiry into third party certification has received the largest number of submissions to an inquiry. Australian consumers want answers, and we applaud the Abbott Government for conducting this inquiry. The public needs, and indeed wants, extensive information about halal certifiers and halal certification. Most people are concerned about the lack of labelling and the hidden nature of halal certification. Organic, kosher and heart tick goods are clearly labelled so that consumers have a choice. Halal is often not labelled and therefore consumers believe halal fees and Islamic religious rituals are imposed upon them. Many Christians, Jews, Sikhs, Buddhists, atheists and more object to have religious rituals imposed upon them through their everyday grocery purchases.

Kirralie Smith, creator of the anti-halal choices website, shopping guide book and phone app, has become an expert on halal certification of foods and supermarkets in Australia. The list of products that are halal certified is now longer than the list of products that are not. Australian consumers want to know where their money is going. They do not want mosques and Islamic schools to profit from their grocery purchases. We should not have a structure whereby consumers contribute to the advancement of Islamic beliefs and practices without their knowledge and consent. Profiteering from halal certification is unacceptable.

While nobody really knows where the money goes—$3 trillion globally—we do know that the funds raised make millionaires out of the certifiers. We know that funds go towards advocating the religion of Islam. We know that funds go to support the building of mosques and other institutions. Since when did Aussies sign up for that? No-one in Australia would tolerate such a scheme if it were perpetuated by any other religion, by the Anglicans, the Baptists or the Catholics. We do not even want to talk about increasing the GST. Yet, we find ourselves living in this bizarre situation where a religious tax is applied to goods—many foods for which there are no substitutes—and we are criticised for criticising the tax.

Currently the average Aussie household and Australian businesses, which are already under financial pressure, have to pay this extra tax, a tax that effectively states the obvious about their products. Products that are already known to be halal—or in other words, permissible—are still subject to religious certification fees, products like breakfast cereal, honey, milk and bread. All people in this country ought to enjoy religious freedom—that is the freedom to choose or reject religious rituals, and whether or not they want to fund them. Australians opposed to halal certification are not bigots. They simply want to enjoy the tolerance and freedoms supposedly available to everyone in our democracy. Australians opposed to funding halal certification, whether it is $1 or billions of dollars, have every right to do so.[Time expired.]

The Hon. Shaoquett Moselmane MLC.

Opposition Whip

Parliament of New South Wales

Parliament House

Macquarie St, Sydney NSW 2000 Australia

Bioethics at the Crossroad of Religions: Thoughts on the Foundations of Bioethics in Christianity and Islam, is the latest publication from Bishop Antoine-Charbel Tarabay.

To be launched on Friday 18 September 2015, this ground-breaking work is a unique and accessible volume that casts a bird’s-eye view over the foundations of bioethics in Christianity and Islam. As these two world-religions now co-exist in an unprecedented manner, and engage in a deeper dialogue, it is critical that informed people of all walks of life understand the first principles from which these creeds address bioethics.

With a Foreword by Cardinal George Pell, the author delves into their sacred scriptures and mainstream commentaries, bridging East and West with his impressive grasp of the relevant languages.

He produces a work which objectively and dispassionately sets out the facts, and contrasts and summarises the results for the reader’s benefit.

About the Author

Antoine Tarabay joined the Lebanese Maronite Order in 1983, and was later ordained to the priesthood in 1993. After completing his Doctorate of Moral Theology (Bioethics) in 1999 at the Lateran University in Rome, Antoine lectured in Moral Theology and Bioethics, and has published articles on Catholic Bioethics and contributed to several books about the Maronite Church.

Today, he is the 4th Bishop of the Maronite Diocese of Australia, having been appointed by Pope Francis in April 2013.

Book Launch Event Details

Friday, 18 September 2015 at 7:00pm

Australian Catholic University

Gleeson Auditorium

25a Barker Rd Strathfield

I have known this woman Suzanne Aoun (Poet) a short time ago and I have met her only twice, first in one of the occasions of the community cultural events, and the second when she attended my Artist Floor Talk at my solo art exhibition of Threshold at Marie MacKillop Museum North Sydney.  It was very impressive that Souzan contributed to the discussion in a positive way, especially when I explained that my art has a universal message regardless to origins or ethnic religions, people with faith or no faith, for it presents humanity, unity, love and peace.  After the talk has finished, Souzan surprisingly asked to get a souvenir photo with me beside the cross. This indicates the extent of her development and openness to other cultures and religions and the widening horizon for the sake of love and brotherhood away from fanaticism. This picture certainly indicates genuine love, respect, unity, harmony and humanity which all leads to peace among all Australians. It is a real example of good Australian citizen. God bless all Australians and our home Australia.

I said to myself, “God forgive me hate this man. If I had hated, I must hate war” Those are Ms. Koko Kondo, one of the atomic bomb survivors that destroyed Hiroshima which occurred 70 years ago. Kondo describes the moment when the suicide bomber co-pilot Enola Gay, that hit Hiroshima, and who was shedding tears of severe reprimand of his conscience, because he felt extremely guilty as a result of his actions.

When the atomic bomb exploded in Hiroshima, Ms.Kondo was only eight months old. Since then she has devoted her life to tell the story of Hibakusha - the injured people from the blast - This year, as in every year, Coco Condo will roam the streets of her hometown to talk with students about the horrors of the war disaster that hit her home and childhood. And she will share with them the humiliation that she felt when she was a teenager, especially when she stood naked on stage while the men with white robes - doctors and scientists - examining her body from the impact of radiation poisoning signs. Coco Kondo stated that she still remembers the painful incident, when the US fiancé abandoned her a few days before their wedding, for fear of exposure to radiation that may cause her inability to have children.

Kondo is pacifist who hopes that her story will help young men and women to understand the terrible devastation felt by the victims of nuclear war. Through her intensive tours and novel stories, she is working tirelessly to reveal to the world, the way to avoid a terrible unprecedented war. The story of Ms Kondo has filled a complete edition of the New Yorker magazine in August 1946 when published for the entire year since the disaster of Hiroshima bombing, in order to make it clear to everyone how dire the destructive power of this incredible weapon, and it is imperative for all nations and peoples to reflect well, considering how terrible the effects of its use.

On the sixth day of August 1945, 70 years ago, Ms Kondo was one of those victims of thousands of women, children and elderly who experienced the worst kind of random wars. That should be rebuked by the human conscience and should not have occurred in the first place. When the nuclear weapons’ war hit Hiroshima and Nagasaki seventy years ago - even though for only three days - it is still living in the human imagination, as if it did not end, because successive wars have not stopped yet, especially if we know that nowadays, one out of every 122 people are living in exile, they have been forced to leave their homes because of past conflicts, and that the number of people killed in conflicts from 49,000 in 2010 had risen to180, 000 in 2014. It is estimated that violence costs have risen over the past four to 13.4 per cent of gross domestic product in the world. But today's conflicts are different from World War II, for most of them being internal and not between nations - such as civil wars, insurgencies, conflicts, gangs, sectarians, fanaticism, violence and terrorism, and that take place often at the grassroots level in the civil societies, if not, some of which are being abroad for the occupation, colonization and domination.

For all these reasons, we as human beings, individuals, societies and nations, we should strongly and firmly believe that it is necessary to mobilize actions and support local capacities for world peace with justice. And we should always remember subjugated peoples who suffer under imperialism, colonization and genocide, such as the people of Palestine, Iraq, Syria and the list is endless.  We must therefore working hard to prevent wars in the long term, and replace them with the development of appropriate solutions and direct negotiations for a radical change in the public opinion and in the feeble methods that are being practiced by some world leaders and politicians. Seeking therefore, to achieve a just peace in the light of true humanistic values and peace building with justice This is what we can aim to do.

At the same time we should remember the horror of the atomic Hiroshima war. We should also remember its martyrs and pay tribute to the memories of the survivors and respect those living on the renewal of their stories. It is the time to remember what does humanity means and to rethink and action those wounded humanitarian concepts, which is still suffering and bleeding in complete silence.

By Asharf Helmey

Shortly, with the prayers of the His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St Mark, His Grace Bishop Daniel El Antouny, the head of the Monastery of St Shenouda The Archimandrite in Sydney/NSW will head the 20th year anniversary celebration since the inauguration, by his Holiness Pope Shenouda III, God bless his soul. The Monastery passed into 3 stages to reach its current flourishing status of a well established Monastery recognized by The Holy Synod. The idea came in 1990 from Dr. Medhat Guirgis – The Secretary of the NSW State Board of The Coptic Orthodox Church at the time and his wife Dr. Sara Fuirgis – to give a present from the son and daughter to their Father H H Pope Shenouda III. H H devoted his life to re-build the old un-occupied monasteries and promote monasticism in the Coptic Orthodox Church. This would provide the NSW Diocese with one of the pillars of the Coptic Orthodox Church. The hard work to establish the Monastery was completed with the prayers and blessings of H H Pope Shenouda by the Very Reverend Fr Tadros Elbakhoumi who was experienced in the construction of monasteries after successfully re-building the ancient St Bakhomious Monastery in Edfo in the 1970’s.

First stage: The constructions since 1991 till 1995

1. The Very Reverend Father Tadros Elbakhomi, Mr. Soubhi Nicola and Mr. Issa Tadros made many trips, taking the burdens and hardships of travelling around NSW to find a suitable place. Finally in early 1991 find a spot around 110 Acres was found in Putty 150 km away from Sydney about. This land was perfect and commensurate with the monastic life. Then the land was purchased by Dr. Medhat Guirgis & his wife Dr Sara Guirgis.

2. In one of his visits to Australia in the same year His Eminence Metropolitan Bishoy, the Secretary of The Holy Synod at the time, visited the parcel of land. His Eminence was impressed, blessed the land, and prayed for the completion of the work. His Eminence’s signature was imprinted on one of the trees there.

3. The hard work started by preparing the architectural drawings to build a church, a hall, a kitchen as well as four quarters – (Klaly) for the monks according to the regulations of the Putty City Council's.

4. Father Tadros Albakhomi and both engineers Sobhi and Issa, lobbied intensively with the authorities until finally, the miracle happened and they got the DA approved.

5. The process of preparing the land and construction under the supervision of Fr Tadros continued reaching its final stages and in 1993 His Holiness Pope Shenouda III blessed the monastery and laid the cornerstone after the prayers of Thanks Giving. His Holiness Pope Shenouda III thanked the V Rev Tadros Elbakhomi and the other servants participating in the project. H H gave some observations that he would like to add before his next visit to celebrate the inauguration of the monastery.

6. After completion of the monastery buildings and the provision of water, electricity, and telephone facilities H H Pope Shenouda III visited the monastery for the second time on 26 August 1995 amid the joy of the Coptic community and celebrated the inauguration of the monastery. Dr. Medhat Guirgis and his wife transferred the ownership to H H as a gift on the occasion of the Silver Jubilee of the Coptic Orthodox church In Australia. So the Contracts were exchanged and were signed by father Tadros Elbakhomi as a witness in his capacity as a Justice of the Peace in accordance with Australian law.

7. Then Pope Shenouda III handed the monastery keys to the priest Pavlos Anba Bishoy.

Second stage: development and attraction 1996 till 2006 

This phase started with the leadership of Fr Pavlos El Anba Bishoy and Fr Bishoy who played a prominent role in the advancement of the monastery as a result of their faith and strong relationship with the Coptic people and good hospitality in the monastery. An increased number of the visitors flocked to the monastery, especially the youth during the public holidays and in the weekends. Under their leadership the following was achieved

1. The number of monks increased in the monastery during this period as follows:

a. Shenouda was ordained a monk under name WISSA on 1999/4/3 then priest on 2002/1/92 by Pope Shenouda III.

b. Both John and Daniel requested to be monks on 2000, then became monks under names Shenouda and Theodor on 2004/2/22.

2. The area of the land was increased in three phases, till reaching 268 acres now.

3. Building a large workshop, and the purchase of heavy and light equipment for use in agriculture, construction, and architectural constructions.

4. using areas in the land for cultivation, and establish farms raising birds and cows and sheep.

5. Construction of new buildings including twelve monks’s Quarters, a private dwelling for the Bishop of the monastery, kitchen for visitors, a hall and library for the monks, as well as a medical facility. In addition to Bethlehem (a room for making the Eucharist) there was also another separate building for visitors to the monastery include a large kitchen, a hall, a library for the visitors, and seven extension guest house to accommodate 28 guests with toilets. This building was used for spiritual seekers or church youth trips. His Holiness Pope Shenouda III blessed this construction on his last visit to Australia by the end of 2002.

Third stage: the recognition from 2006 so far:

His Holiness Pope Shenouda III, decided to assign Fr Daniel El Antony to take over the Affairs of the monastery after the return of Fr Pavlos to Cairo. Fr. Daniel was ordained in 2009 as a Bishop for the monastery in 2009 with the name H G Bishop Daniel. During his time, the monastery implemented the conditions that allow the Holy Synod to officially recognize the monastery including:

1. Complete the construction of the gate of the monastery including two small towers – (Manara) , and also a metal bell beside the Church.

2. Establishment of the "Altafoos” a building of a private cemetery for the monks who pass away.

After the Monastery’s recognition by the Holy Synod H G Bishop Daniel started further projects on the land of the monastery:

1. Laying the foundation stone for the Cathedral construction project in 2014, after the monastery access permits from government agencies responsible.

2. The monastery became a major educational for the new priests for the period condition of forty days as a new priest.

3. Ordaining the monk Fr Wissa to be a Hegoman, and ordaining the monks Shenouda and Theodor to became priests. Moreover, other two persons called Moses and Daniel requested to be monks on 6/01/2014.

4. Increasing the monastery land to 418 acres now.

To mark the occasion we give here a simple summary of the history of the monastery. We congratulate all who toiled for the establishment and advancement of the monastery and ask God to bless them and reward them for their efforts in completing the process of monasticism in NSW with the blessing and prayers of his Holiness Pope Tawadros II, H G Bishop Daniel the head of the monastery of Anba Shenouda The Archimandrite, H G Bishop Daniel the Bishop of Sydney & Affiliated regions, and all our Orthodox bishops.

Saturday 15 August 2015

on the occasion of the 

Feast of the Assumption, 

OLOL Harris Park

Honourable Ministers and Members of Parliament,

Your Excellencies the Consuls General,

Members of Local Councils,

Presidents of our Australian Lebanese associations,

Representatives of the media and other organisations,

Representatives of Maronite councils and organisations,

Reverend Monsignors, Members of the Clergy, and Religious Sisters, 

Distinguished guests,

Dearly Beloved in Christ,

1. When Pope Francis proclaimed the Year of Mercy to commence on 8 December this year, he called our attention to Our Blessed Mother, and quoted from the Gospel reading , which we heard today. His Holiness said that Our Lady:

... treasured divine mercy in her heart in perfect harmony with her Son Jesus. Her hymn of praise, sung at the threshold of the home of Elizabeth, was dedicated to the mercy of God which extends from “generation to generation”. We too were included in those prophetic words of the Virgin Mary. This will be a source of comfort and strength to us as we cross the threshold of the Holy Year to experience the fruits of divine mercy. 

2. The Virgin Mary is indeed the Mother of God and the Mother of Mercy, for God is mercy, and mercy is a quality which leads us to God and makes us more Christ-like.

3. As we prepare for the beginning of the Year of Mercy, we need to experience the mercy of God in order to be able to practice it and spread it through our everyday actions. In order to experience the mercy of God, we should approach Him in the Sacraments of the Eucharist and of Reconciliation. There is an essential link between these two sacraments. Apart from the Eucharist, there simply is no greater gift that the Church can give us which is the gift of reconciliation. The Eucharist is the sacrifice of Christ offered for the forgiveness of sins, “This is my body which will be given up for you... this is the cup of my blood... it will be shed for you and for all so that sins may be forgiven.” 

4. When we have felt God’s compassion and forgiveness in these two great sacraments, and experienced his strengthening presence, we could then become messengers of his mercy and love to the world. This could be done through charitable work, acts of love, and small gestures of kindness. Our constant companion on this journey of receiving God’s mercy and bringing it to the world is, of course, Our Lady, Mother of Mercy. 

5. As such, and in our roles as messengers of God in this world, I wish to speak now about two important events: one at the level of our Maronite Church here in Australia and the second for the Universal Catholic Church.  These events aim to engage with our people and society, so that the light of Christ might shine everywhere.

6. First, allow me to mention the Maronite Youth Convention which we held in July this year, and which would not have been possible but for the selfless work of youth and clergy of our Diocese. More than three hundred of our Maronite youth came together for three days.

7. I am personally gratified that, with your generous assistance, we have brought our youth together from across this wide land, from Brisbane to Melbourne, to Adelaide and to Perth and back to Sydney. In coming together their eyes were opened to their identity in the faith and the potential for good which they possess. May they now come more and more to live and to spread their Christian values and the fruits of their Maronite heritage wherever they may be, in the workplace, at institutions of education, and in the family. 

8. So successful was the Convention, so serious were the youth in the pursuit of their faith that a decision was taken that the Convention should be held each two years. And on this night, I call on our young Maronites to start preparing for ARISE 2017.

9. The second significant engagement I wish to mention is the General Synod on the Family which will be held in Rome in October this year. Bishop Antoine Andary and I have been elected by the Maronite Bishops to represent our Maronite Catholic Church and to accompany His Eminence Mar Bechara Boutros Cardinal Rai, our Patriarch, to participate in the Synod, a matter which is very humbling but also very challenging, as the challenges faced by the family today have never before confronted it.

10. The traditional family, as father, mother and children, is the natural cradle of humanity. A good family is the best provider of physical, mental and emotional health. It is the ideal nest in which to protect the weak and vulnerable members of our society. 

11. In this respect, I wish to talk about an important topic, concerning the family, which has been at the forefront of Australian politics recently: the redefinition of marriage. It is not a sign of wisdom to change the nature of marriage, and therefore of the family, to something incompatible with the sacrament of marriage which is the union before the altar of God of one man and one woman, of their own free will, for life.

12. It is of utmost importance that we always remember that the “Catholic tradition teaches that every human being is a unique and irreplaceable person, created in the image of God and loved by Him. Because of this, every man, woman and child has great dignity and worth, which can never be taken away. This includes those who experience same-sex attraction. They are people with dignity and must be treated with respect, sensitivity, and love.”  So when we speak about same-sex attraction, we do so with charity without attacking or disrespecting any person.  

13. Marriage between one man and one woman is the social unit which God has ordered for the birth and raising of children. In a joint statement issued by a number of Eastern Bishops and Muslim Leaders earlier this week, we urged Members of Parliament to consult with their constituents and respect their views on this matter. 

14. The statement also stated that “any amendment to the Marriage Act can be expected to unleash further changes in the nature of State-sanctioned marriage. We are all members of the one society. What affects one, affects the other... While people with the same sex attraction currently enjoy relationship equality, where they live in committed relationships and are cherished as people with dignity, we do not see why this has to be “marriage”. 

15. It is our firm belief that marriage should only remain between a man and a woman, as intended by God from the beginning of times. In protecting the sanctity of marriage, we would be upholding our Christian values, the very values on which this parish has been founded and has flourished over the years into the wonderful community that it is today. 

16. On this note, I praise and thank the beautiful work done by Msgr Shora Maree, the Parish Priest, assisted by all the priests, and in particular Fr Tony Sarkis, the Administrator. Their work would not be possible without the support of our parishioners. I thank all those who generously donate of their time and talents through the choir, and the various committees including the stewardship, children, youth, families, seniors, sodality and many others. You all contribute in wonderful ways and enrich your parish and honour Our Lady. 

17. This raises one practical matter, where some of you may be able to help us to honour Our Lady in a special way. The statue which crowns this Cathedral is in need of replacement. Unfortunately, the substance of which it is made is decaying, and if it is not replaced soon, it will damage the roof, causing even greater problems. For all the people of good will who would like to assist us in this regard, please contact the parish office or priests. This is an unusual opportunity to serve and to help us replace the statue of Our Lady which announces the presence of this Cathedral and its patron to all within view. 

18. On this holy evening, allow me to acknowledge and thank Tele Lumiere, the Christian network celebrating this year its Silver Jubilee, 25 years of its existence. Tele Lumiere/ Noursat perform a noble mission at the service of the Church and all the Christians in Lebanon, the Middle East and all around the world. We ask the Lord to bless the founders and every staff member, volunteer and benefactor who support this organisation in carrying the Good News of the Gospel to the ends of the earth. 

19. In conclusion, let us never forget that God has cast down the proud and reserved special fountains of his mercy for the humble. Let us all pray to the Lord and in humility of heart beseech his mother on this great Feast of the Assumption. May our Eparchy be an ark of faith and salvation in a turbulent world. We remember especially our brothers and sisters yearning for peace in the Middle East. We pray for Lebanon and its people, that they may through the intercession of Our Lady of Lebanon, come together, as one people, rising above all what divides them, and rebuild their country and give it hope for a better future. 

20. Dearly beloved, may the Lord God bless you and your families, on this Holy Feast and every day of your lives. 

Amen.

Wednesday 12 August 2015

On behalf of those Muslim and Christian communities whom we represent, we declare that we believe that there should be no change to the traditional definition of marriage as spelled by the 2004 Amendment incorporated into the Marriage Act 1961. The amendment reads:

“Marriage means the union of a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others voluntarily entered into for life.”  

We are very concerned about the rush to introduce new legislation allowing for Same-Sex Marriage (“SSM”), which is wrong both in policy and in principle. 

It is wrong in policy because far-reaching changes should not be implemented in haste. Parliamentarians of Australia have a duty to lead the debate over SSM rather than opportunistically seeking to garner votes by jumping onto what seems to be an irresistible bandwagon. They should be encouraging people to reflect upon what marriage is all about, its parameters, its relationship to child-rearing and how children shall be raised outside of the institution of traditional marriage. Studies of the children raised in same-sex unions have produced conflicting results. It would be wrong and inacceptable to allow children, those who are the most vulnerable, to be born into situations where it may transpire that the situation they are born into is too often unsuited for a balanced and healthy development.

The rush to amend the current Marriage Act is also wrong in principle because even the weakening of marriage has had disastrous consequences in the society we live in. One does not need to be religious or to refer to the natural order to appreciate this, although for us, as Christian and Muslim community leaders, these concerns are significant and should be respected. The so-called “promiscuous society” has resulted in a generation where commitment and loyalty are disappearing, and in their place selfishness is flourishing.

On the other hand, we are not calling upon Parliamentarians to adopt religious principles simply to gain points in the polls. But they should consult with their constituents and respect their views as they hold these principles, and recognise that they have proved their value in social and human, not to say spiritual, terms. 

We see no reason to believe the breezy assertion that we who do not agree with altering the traditional nature of marriage will be unaffected by it, and that the laws of Australia will respect our principled stand. 

Any amendment to the Marriage Act can be expected to unleash further changes in the nature of State-sanctioned marriage. We are all members of the one society. What affects one, affects the other, not least in that the law has a formative effect upon expectations and values. While people attracted to the same sex currently enjoy relationship equality, where they live in committed relationships and are cherished as people with dignity, we do not see why this has to be “marriage”. 

On what basis will our faiths and their ministers be protected if we refuse to celebrate religious same-sex marriages? If same-sex marriage is implemented it will only be a matter of time before someone sues us for refusing to marry them to their same-sex partner. 

What begins as an attempt to allow freedom of choice for some people may well end in denying freedom of worship to many others.

We have already arranged for a meeting with the Prime Minister, and have written to the Leader of the Opposition, seeking a similar encounter.

In light of the projected escalation by the Tayyar and the call to demonstrate on the streets I suggest that the message and the means be reconsidered. To force a unilateral confessional confrontation in these times of deadly radicalization is a fraction of what is needed.

Demonstrating against Christian confessional discrimination is falling into the role of the victim. We, the Christians of Lebanon are not victims! We are the architects of this nation and of our future.

The real discrimination that needs to be addressed goes beyond confessional limitations. The target of this blatant offensive discrimination is the Lebanese citizen. The message that needs to be conveyed is a national message.

The political paralysis, the state of emergency around the waste matter collection and disposal, the financial abuses, the dismissal of constitutional authority, the power-mongering and profiteering and many other issues affect all Lebanese equally.

Please take your time General Aoun to rally allies from all sides - from traditional allies, from the silent majority, from civil society, from independent politicians with a conscience and others as well. The crisis is beyond the confines of March.

We also have to clarify that the army is not the culprit , the culprit is the self-serving motivation that drives all the political choices in the country.

General Aoun you are right to be angry but you are not alone, we are all angry and feeling the pressure of our powerlessness to bring about change. Do not let them make you feel as though you are isolated in this frustrating situation.

I ask you not to fight your battles on your own. Call on all the Lebanese not just the Tayyar to come to the table and create and to stand against the compounded violations that the decent citizens face.

"To fight alone is valiant, to resist together is powerful." I urge you to delay the vehemence of your rebuttal by coalescing a front to combat the problems that we face as a nation and not just as Christians. In this national fight you will find unanimity.

Respectfully,

Tracy Chamoun

Baabda - August 2015