Patriarch of Maronite Catholic Church To Receive Saint Louis University’s Highest Honor
Lebanese Cardinal to host news conference
at SLU to discuss Middle East issues
ST. LOUIS -- The most important Christian leader in the Middle East is coming
to Saint Louis University Friday, June 30, to receive SLU's highest honor, the
Sword of Ignatius Loyola, as well as an honorary doctorate of laws.
His Beatitude and Eminence Nasrallah Peter Cardinal Sfeir is the Patriarch
of the Maronite Catholic Church. St. Louis is the first stop in the Patriarch's
pastoral tour of the United States. His local visit is being coordinated by
Saint Raymond's Maronite Cathedral, St. Louis' Maronite parish.
Prior to the SLU award ceremony, Cardinal Sfeir will host a brief news conference.
He will field questions from reporters, and can discuss critical Middle East
issues, including the war in Iraq, the Israel/Palestine situation and the disarming
of Hezbollah, the Shiite Muslim militant movement in Lebanon.
Details of the Patriarch's News Conference:
The news conference is expected to begin shortly after noon, Friday, June 30, in the Père Marquette
Gallery of DuBourg Hall, 221 N. Grand Blvd. For security purposes, media must be set up no later than 11:45 a.m. for this event. For information about parking
or access, contact Clayton Berry at (314) 977-7117.
Background on the Patriarch:
Cardinal Sfeir is a central figure in Middle Eastern affairs. Leaders from around
the world routinely seek his counsel on Middle Eastern issues. Last year, he
was invited to the White House to meet with President Bush.
Cardinal Sfeir also is an outspoken and powerful voice for peace, democracy
and freedom in the Middle East, often risking his personal safety to spread
his message. However, his campaign for Christian-Muslim harmony has earned him
countless Muslim supporters, and even militant Islamic groups view him as a
bridge with Christians and the West.
Additional Background on the Patriarch:
Cardinal Sfeir (Svire) was elected Patriarch in 1986. Pope John Paul II elevated
him to Cardinal in 1994. He is the 76th Patriarch of the Maronite Church and
only the third Maronite Cardinal. An estimated 200 million Eastern Catholics
also look to him as a religious and spiritual leader.
Born May 15, 1920, Cardinal Sfeir was ordained a priest in 1950. He completed
philosophical and theological studies at St. Joseph University in Beirut. He
is the author of several books and publications. He speaks fluent English.
More about Lebanon:
In 1975, a devastating Civil War erupted in Lebanon and lasted for 15 years.
Invading forces from Syria and Israel occupied various territories in the nation
for years. Cardinal Sfeir played a key role in ending the conflict.
Today, Lebanon is making progress toward independence. In 2000, Israel moved
out of the southern section of the country. Syria withdrew the remainder of
its military presence in 2005. In the spring of 2005, Lebanon held its first
legislative elections, free of foreign interference, since the end of the civil
war.
More about Saint Raymond's:
Saint Raymond's Maronite Catholic Cathedral Parish was formed by Lebanese immigrants
more than 100 years ago. Today, parishioners come from across metropolitan area
and are of varying ethnic backgrounds.
The Maronites are one of 22 churches that encompass the Catholic Church. Saint
Raymond's is a cathedral because the church is the seat of the diocesan bishop,
His Excellency Bishop Robert J. Shaheen. The Eparchy, or diocese, includes 34
mid-western, southern and western states.
More about SLU's Sword of Loyola:
The Sword of Ignatius Loyola is named for the founder of the Society of Jesus,
Inigo Lopez de Loyola. Symbolic of the Ignatian vision of service, the sword
is awarded to those who have given themselves to humankind for the greater glory
of God. Past recipients include Harry S. Truman, Jacques Cousteau, Archbishop
John May, and former U.S. Senators John C. Danforth and Thomas F. Eagleton.
