Scottish Catholic Observer

A Lebanese priest will tell Scottish Catholics that peace in the Middle East depends on the survival of Christianity in the region, at a meeting in Paisley this week.

Fr Samer Nassif (above), a Maronite priest from Lebanon, who works for the Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), will give the keynote address at the event following a Mass being held at Paisley’s St Mirin’s Cathedral.

The event, this Thursday (September 20), just days after Pope Benedict XVI’s three-day trip to Lebanon.

The visit comes amid increasing concern about Christian emigration form the Middle East prompted by persecution and intimidation, problems, which, in many countries, have worsened since the Arab Spring began early last year.

Fr Nassif said that in his address he will say that Christians have an indispensible role as peacemakers between religious groups increasingly in conflict with one another.

“There is no peace in the Middle East without Christians,” he said. “We are there to lead the way to forgiveness and peace.”

Fr Nassif will begin the ACN event this Thursday by celebrating Mass at 7pm in St Mirin’s, before giving the main address immediately afterwards in the cathedral hall.

Also speaking in the hall will be Neville Kyrke-Smith, the charity’s UK director, and Liz Leydon, editor of the SCO.

— ACN’s Paisley event on Thursday September 20 begins at 7pm with Mass at St Mirin’s Cathedral, Incle Street, Paisley PA1 1HR. Talks follow in St Mirin’s Hall. Entrance is free and refreshments will be available. For further information, contact Lorraine McMahon, ACN head of Scottish operations: 01698 337470 or visit www.acnuk.org/paisley