The Catholic Center for Studies and Media (CCSM) in Jordan and Caritas Jordan have organized a campaign to buy medicines for the fraternal Lebanese people by holding an eve of charity hymns which was performed by Lebanese hymn singer Carla Chamoun at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Tla’ Al-Ali, Amman.

 

The event was attended by a Lebanese delegation led by Minister of Social Development Hector Hajjar, Lebanese Ambassador to Jordan Yousef Raji, Chaldean Catholic Bishop of Beirut Michel Kassarji, Director of Caritas Lebanon Fr. Michel Abboud, Parish Priest of the Maronite Church in Jordan Fr. Joseph Swede, in addition to dozens of people.

 

In an opening address, CCSM Director Fr. Dr. Rif’at Bader said that this eve bears a humanitarian significance, namely a contribution to the delivery of medicines needed by many in fraternal Lebanon. He paid tribute to all those who contributed to this event particularly Caritas Jordan and its director Mr. Wael Suleiman, the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization, as well as to every person who contributed to the delivery of medicines to others in Lebanon who are our brethern in Arabism and in humanity.

 

Father Bader conveyed gratitude and appreciation to His Majesty King Abdullah II, to His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein Ibn Abdullah, to the security authorities that helped make this event a success, and to all the loyal and the sincere in Jordan who never hesitated to provide assistance to any suffering brethren. He also pointed out that during the addresses of His Holiness Pope Francis, regarding the refugees and the displaced persons, he always praised Jordan and Lebanon in their capacity as countries that welcome displaced brethren. He said: Welcoming refugees is a virtue and a path to holiness. This is the characteristic of great countries that can welcome suffering brethren with open arms.

 

Fr. Bader lifted up a prayer pleading to God that the sectarian schisms in Lebanon would be eliminated, and that the officials would realize the need to restore their unity, brotherhood, and the courage to look to the future hand-in-hand. Addressing the Lebanese delegation, he said: “Tell the people in the Land of the Cedars that we love them, we love these good people, and we want them to restore their country’s status quo ante as a summer resort, a pilgrimage destination for worshipers, as well as a cultural center for scholars and researchers. He stressed that Jordan, with its wise leadership and loyal people, will always remain a backer and a supporter of Lebanon so that this country would restore its past as had been the case and as it should be, to be more than a country but rather as a message to the world as St. John Paul II said 25 years ago.

 

During the musical eve, which lasted for one hour, hymn singer Carla Chamoun performed a variety of hymns, accompanied by the Stronghold’s musical band, amid an appreciative interaction by the audience. At the end of the event, Caritas Jordan Director Wael Suleiman and Fr. Bader presented a mosaic to Ms. Chamoun in appreciation of her artistic and humanitarian mission in supporting her country. For her part, she thanked Caritas Jordan and the CCSM for this humanitarian initiative which is not strange to the generosity of the Jordanian people and for their support for the suffering peoples especially in the Arab region.

 

Ms. Chamoun had earlier held a musical eve, organized by Caritas Jordan and the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization, in the square of the Latin Virgin Lady Church in Fuheis which was attended by 2,000 people from Fuheis and other cities. At the end of the two events, Caritas Jordan Media Director Dana Shahin thanked all the parties that supported this charity campaign.

 

By Munir Bayouk/ en.abouna.org