Mass Stipends for 34 Priests in Lebanon

The Archdiocese of Baalbek-Deir El-Ahmar covers the Bekaa Valley region in eastern Lebanon, an impoverished part of the country that, for years now, has been sliding ever deeper into crisis. Ever since the start of the war in neighboring Syria, its proximity to the border has made the situation there increasingly unstable. Those who are able to do so are leaving the country for a better life in places like Canada or Australia. Others are going to Beirut, the capital. Today, only about five percent of the remaining population is Christian. 

At the end of last year, the situation was made drastically worse by the Israeli bombing raids. These were theoretically targeting strategic districts in the south of the archdiocese, notably in the region around Baalbek, a known Hezbollah stronghold. However, at the same time, a number of villages in which Christians and Muslims were still living peacefully together were also affected. Many were forced to flee to other parts of the archdiocese, leaving the Church with large numbers of internal refugees.  

The priests of the archdiocese are working tirelessly in this difficult region, “good shepherds” in the truest sense. But they, too, need to survive, and so we are supporting them regularly with Mass stipends and will continue to in the future. They are most grateful for this support.  

Father Antonios Kayrouz of the parish of Chlifa writes: “I would like to express my profound gratitude for your constant support. Your sympathy and understanding have become a strong cornerstone of my mission and give me comfort and encouragement in times of uncertainty.“ Father Chady Khoury writes from the parish of Ainata: “Your wonderful generosity not only touches our hearts, but is a crucial influence in enabling us to carry out our mission. Your support is like a guiding star and has given us fresh strength in fulfilling our work.“ Similarly, Father Elie Abou Sleiby of the parish of Hadath expresses his heartfelt gratitude: “Amid the complicated web of challenges, your generous help has woven strong threads of resilience in the fabric of our community. Your kindness resonates throughout our parish, fostering an atmosphere in which faith, hope, and charity are not only surviving but, indeed, flourishing.“ 

This year, we are once again offering to help the 34 priests of the Archdiocese of Baalbek-Deir El-Ahmar with your Mass stipends, to support them in their difficult and unrelenting ministry. 

Will you join us in helping them?

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