10 things you need to know about the Catholic Church in Lebanon

ACI MENA, October 26, 2024 / 08:00

In 1989, Pope John Paul II published an apostolic letter warning that “the disappearance of Lebanon will be one of the greatest sorrows of the world” and that its salvation is “one of the most urgent and noble tasks” of the world community.

Although Lebanon often makes headlines due to its turbulent politics and military conflicts – including in recent days As tensions between Hezbollah and Israel have escalated, its rich Catholic heritage, both past and present, has often been overlooked.

Here are 10 important things to know about the Catholic faith in Lebanon:

1. Diversity of the Church in Lebanon

Despite its small size, Lebanon is home to 18 officially recognized religious sects. In this diverse landscape, the Catholic Church occupies a prominent place, bringing together several different practices and communities that contribute to the spiritual heritage of the nation.

Lebanon has six main Catholic communities, each with its own unique history, liturgical traditions and cultural heritage: Maronite, Melkite, Armenian, Syrian, Chaldean and Latin Catholic churches.

Recognizing Lebanon’s unique religious diversity, Pope John Paul II called Lebanon “more than a country; this is the message.”

2. Lebanese Catholics in numbers

The percentage of Christians in Lebanon is a matter of debate, with estimates varying. An often cited figure suggests that Christians make up about 34% of the population (1.5 to 2 million), although there are concerns about the accuracy of these estimates due to the lack of official census data.

The largest Catholic group in Lebanon is the Maronite Catholic Church. According to According to the 2015 Annuario Pontificio, there are approximately 3.36 million Maronite Catholics worldwide. Significant communities live in Argentina (about 720,000), Brazil (493,000), Mexico (156,000) and Australia (150,000).

3. Important political role in Lebanon

Catholics, especially Maronite Catholics, play a significant political role in Lebanon thanks to the country’s unique denominational system, which distributes political power based on religious affiliation.

According to the Lebanese Constitution, the President of Lebanon must always be a Maronite Catholic. And the 128 seats in parliament are equally divided between Christians and Muslims/Druze. Christians, including Maronites, Greek Catholics and other sects, occupy 64 seats, with the remaining 64 seats reserved for Muslims (both Sunni and Shia) and Druze.

4. Persecution and political unrest

Lebanese Christians have faced persecution throughout history, from the Mamluks, who destroyed churches and killed Christians, to the Ottoman Empire, which organized great famine which killed a third of the population.

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Recently, Christian leaders in Lebanon have faced targeted violence. During the Lebanese Civil War (1975–1990), key Christian figures were killed, such as Bashir Gemayel (1982), a Maronite leader and elected president who was killed for his role in opposing the Syrian and Palestinian occupation. Many Christian journalists and intellectuals have also been killed in recent years for their resistance to foreign influence.

5. Key historical role

Lebanon’s Catholics have historically enjoyed unique autonomy in the Middle East, even under Islamic rule. Known for their strong attachment to freedom, they consistently resisted systems of subjugation such as dhimmitud (the status of non-Muslims under Muslim rule), maintaining their independence and identity through centuries of change.

The Maronites played a central role in resisting Ottoman control through diplomatic, military, and political efforts. And after World War I, the Maronite community, under the leadership of Patriarch Elias Peter Hoayek, pushed for the creation of Greater Lebanon in 1920 under a French mandate.

Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir played a key role in the resistance to the Syrian occupation of Lebanon. His leadership was a key factor in mobilizing both Christians and non-Christians in Lebanon to challenge Syrian dominance, especially in the period leading up to the Cedar Revolution in 2005.

6. Land of Saints

Lebanon is called the “Land of the Saints” due to the numerous saints that have appeared in its history. The most famous Lebanese saint is Saint Charbel Makhlouf.

Moreover, monasticism has been the cornerstone of Christian life in the country for centuries. Monks and nuns living isolated in the mountains of Lebanon maintained Christianity during difficult periods.

7. Strong relationship with the Vatican.

The Maronite Church arose in the late fourth century in the area of ​​Saint Maron. By the eighth century, the Maronites had moved into the mountains of Lebanon, living in isolation. During the Crusades they established ties with the Latin Church and in 1182 formally united with Rome.

In 1584, Pope Gregory XIII founded the Maronite College in Rome. College graduates helped spread knowledge of the Eastern Christian tradition in Europe and improve the education of the clergy in Lebanon.

Many Lebanese Catholics played important roles in the Vatican. For example, Youssef El-Semaani was the chief translator and curator of the Vatican Library.

Lebanese Catholics also contributed significant for the Second Vatican Council. For example, the Melkites demanded the creation of a permanent dicastery within the Roman Curia to deal with ecumenical issues, reflecting their ongoing involvement in promoting unity within the Church.

8. The language of Christ is preserved

Lebanese Christians, especially the Maronites, played a key role in preserving the Aramaic language, the language spoken by Jesus Christ. This ancient language was preserved through the Maronite liturgy, which still includes Syriac-Aramaic prayers and hymns.

9. Catholic education is the cornerstone of Lebanon’s development

Catholic schools in Lebanon have played a crucial role in the educational and cultural development of the country. Run by various Catholic orders such as the Jesuits, Franciscans and Maronite clergy, these schools offer high quality education based on Christian values. Renowned institutions such as the University of St. Joseph (founded by the Jesuits in 1875) and the University of Notre-Dame-Lois are known for their academic excellence.

10. Catholic pilgrimages – exploring the holy places of Lebanon

Lebanon offers many pilgrimage options, including the Qadisha Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site where Maronite monks lived in isolation for centuries.

Annaya, where Saint Charbel is buried, is a major pilgrimage site famous for healings and miracles.

Another popular spot is Our Lady of Lebanon in Harissa, where a towering statue of the Virgin Mary overlooks the Mediterranean Sea.

This article was originally published by ACI Mena, CNA’s Arabic news partner, and has been translated and adapted by CNA.