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Anti-government protests have erupted in cities and towns across Lebanon in recent weeks, as political authorities seem deadlocked in their efforts to form a government and Lebanon\u2019s currency continues its spiral to an all-time low. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Catholic Church leaders, including Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros Rai and the Melkite Greek Catholic bishops, led by Patriarch Youssef Absi, have called on political authorities to exercise their responsibilities and to act swiftly in forming a government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhy don\u2019t you form a government when the people are crying out from pain, starving from poverty and dying from disease?\u201d Cardinal Rai asked in a homily on 24 January. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you form a government when the country has entered into the final chapter of collapse? Don\u2019t you fear God, the people and the court of conscience and history?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Both patriarchs have also called for the Lebanese government to reaffirm Lebanon\u2019s position of neutrality in its foreign policy, specifically in the geopolitical conflicts of the Middle East.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The patriarchs underlined the urgency of the situation, as the Lebanese people face growing poverty under the collapse of the Lebanese pound. Lebanon\u2019s currency has lost about 85 percent of its value on the international market, leaving the country, which relies heavily on imports, in a precarious and vulnerable situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The unemployment rate has nearly quadrupled since 2019, to 40 percent, and 50 percent of the population is living below the poverty level, Mr. Constantin reported. In response, young, talented professionals are emigrating. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLebanon is currently losing its youth and its educated and well-qualified human resources,\u201d said Mr. Constantin. \u201cDoctors, medical staff, teachers, economists and other professionals are leaving the country in search for a better future abroad. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe current financial and monetary crises are taking a heavy toll on all aspects of life \u2014 on hospitals, schools, universities, etc.,\u201d including those operated by the Catholic Church and religious communities, he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cnewa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/cnewaBeirut20213_008H-1024x683.jpg\")
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