Wed Oct 02 16:50:00 UTC 2024: ## Amidst Escalating Israeli-Hezbollah Conflict, Lebanese Christians Seek Peace

**BEIRUT, Lebanon** – As Israeli airstrikes against Hezbollah intensify in southern Lebanon, Father Talal Hachem, President of Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, expressed a plea for peace amidst the growing crisis.

“Because we have faith, because we have hope, we are seeking peace,” Hachem told “EWTN News Nightly” during a recent visit to Washington.

The escalating conflict has displaced an estimated 1 million people in Lebanon, according to Prime Minister Najib Mikati, following Israel’s targeted ground raids against Hezbollah.

Hachem expressed concern for all Lebanese, regardless of their religious affiliation, highlighting the stark difference between the desires of the Lebanese people and the actions of political parties.

“We are worried about every human being in Lebanon,” he said. “There is a big difference between what Lebanese people want and [how] the political parties are behaving these days.”

Despite the mounting tension, Hachem, who is returning to Lebanon, remains steadfast in his commitment to his community.

“We are worried about every human being in Lebanon, especially our Catholic community,” he said. “They are worried. They are shocked, but they have faith and they pray and we pray for them.”

The Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, located just north of Beirut, is run by the Lebanese Maronite Order, a monastic group with a strong presence in Lebanon. The Maronite Church, an Eastern Catholic rite, constitutes a significant portion of Lebanon’s Christian population.

While recognizing the gravity of the situation, Hachem remains hopeful for a peaceful resolution.

“Our hope is to get this peace as soon as possible so people can live safely,” he said.

Christians in Lebanon, representing approximately 30% of the population, are united in their desire for peace and stability. They are actively resisting support for a war that could further devastate the already struggling nation.

As the conflict intensifies, humanitarian organizations, including Caritas Lebanon, are working tirelessly to provide aid to the millions of internally displaced persons.

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