**Sydney, May 4, 2026** – The Maronite Catholic Society in Australia strongly condemns the circulation of offensive images aimed at His Beatitude Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Rai. Such actions represent an unacceptable attack on a spiritual and national symbol that transcends his esteemed person and strikes at the heart of the Maronite Patriarchate and its historical role in preserving Lebanon’s identity and the message of coexistence.

These insults, regardless of the parties behind them or those promoting them, are a blatant departure from moral and religious values. They contradict the most basic principles of mutual respect among Lebanese individuals. Furthermore, they undermine the foundations upon which Lebanon was built, which prioritize the dignity of religious figures and promote unity among the components of the nation.

The Maronite Patriarchate has long championed the protection of human dignity, contributing to establishing Lebanon as a land of freedom and plurality. The Maronites have been key partners in building the Lebanese state, defending the unity of its people, and fostering brotherly relations with Muslims. This collaborative spirit has made Lebanon a unique model for the convergence of religions and cultures. Therefore, any attack on the spiritual figures of the Maronite community is an attack on an integral part of Lebanon’s history and its collective identity.

As Maronite Lebanese in Australia, we carry the image of pluralistic Lebanon into the communities we inhabit, affirming that any harm to spiritual figures is not merely an internal matter but an affront to Lebanon’s civilizational face and its credibility as a space for dialogue and openness. We also remind everyone that respecting religious figures, whether Christian or Islamic, is a fundamental condition for maintaining coexistence. Any insult directed at a single religious symbol impacts all Lebanese at the core of their shared values.

While warning against the dangers of continuing this approach, which only serves to exacerbate divisions and weaken the bonds of trust among the citizens of one nation, we express our full solidarity with His Beatitude Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Rai. We call upon all religious and national authorities to take a clear and firm stand against these insults and to put an end to any inciting or offensive rhetoric, in order to preserve stability and coexistence.

The dignity of religious figures in Lebanon will remain a red line, and any violation of this dignity is a violation of Lebanon’s unity and stability.

Tony Jabbour
President of the Maronite Catholic Society in Australia