Shining a spotlight on Lebanon, one of the most fragile and symbolic countries in the Middle East, to support its recovery. This is the objective of Rebuilding Lebanon, preserving its diversity, a workshop organized by the Sovereign Order of Malta and the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany to the Holy See and the Order of Malta scheduled for today in Rome. Hosted at the Magistral Villa at the Aventine, the meeting brings together high-level diplomatic, religious and humanitarian authorities to reflect on a model of coexistence that can become the key to the stability of the entire region.
The event was opened by a video message from the President of Lebanon, Joseph Aoun, who recalled how Lebanon’s religious and cultural “pluralism is at the heart of our national identity and essential for regional stability. Each project you enable through the Order of Malta, strengthens our people’s bond with their land and their belief in a shared national future.”
This was followed by the institutional speeches of the Grand Chancellor of the Order of Malta, Riccardo Paternò di Montecupo, and the German Ambassador Bernhard Kotsch. “The Federal Republic of Germany and the Sovereign Order of Malta have been working together for many years in a spirit of mutual trust, with the aim of alleviating pain and suffering throughout the world through humanitarian aid. Our joint activities in support of the needy population of Lebanon are a testament to the success of this collaboration,” said Ambassador Kotsch.
During his speech, the Grand Chancellor reiterated the Order of Malta’s strong commitment in Lebanon, also witnessed by his recent visit to the country and by the organization of a dedicated event within the Munich Security Conference in February: “Every new composting unit, every medical center reopened, every doctor trained, every patient treated, is a seed of peace planted in difficult but fertile soil. Lebanon needs to be healed. Not only in body, but also in soul. The Order of Malta will continue to stand by the Lebanese people, in the fulfillment of its historical mission.”
The second part of the workshop, opened by the Ambassador of the Sovereign Order of Malta in Lebanon, Maria Emerica Cortese, was dedicated to the activities carried out by the Order of Malta in Lebanon. The Director of Development & Communication of the Lebanese Association of the Order of Malta, Oumayma Farah, the Director of Programmes & Operations of Malteser International, Kees Zevenbergen, and the Agriculture Advisor of the Lebanese Association, Elias Ghadban, presented the main projects, including the agro-humanitarian program carried out in collaboration with the Order of Malta and its international relief agency, Malteser International, with the support of the Federal Republic of Germany.
This was followed by a high-level panel discussion dedicated to Lebanon’s model of interreligious coexistence. Moderated by Elias Turk (EWTN/ACI Mena), the panel included the participation of Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Oriental Churches, who emphasised the importance of preserving the inter-religious richness of Lebanon: “This communion of diversity is important because it is unique: it is a universal model. As long as it works, it becomes a tangible sign that the impossible is possible, meaning that the coexistence that we hope for in every way – and which at the moment seems anything but guaranteed – has happened throughout history.” Among the speakers were also Tobias Tunkel, Director Middle East and North Africa at the Federal Foreign Office, Ghady El Khoury, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the Embassy of the Republic of Lebanon to the Sovereign Order of Malta, and Marwan Sehnaoui, President of the Lebanese Association of the Order of Malta.
The proceedings were closed by the Grand Hospitaller of the Order of Malta, Josef D. Blotz.
The Order of Malta in Lebanon
The Lebanese Association of the Knights of Malta (also known as Order of Malta Lebanon) has been committed for decades to serving the most vulnerable communities across the country, regardless of origin or religion, with the highest quality standards. Through a network of 60 projects and programs composed of 11 community healthcare centers, 11 mobile medical units, 7 agro-humanitarian centers, 3 mobile community kitchens, 2 hosting centers for the differently abled, and several other programs, the Order in Lebanon provides essential medical, social, and agricultural support to those in need. Apolitical, neutral and impartial, it is rooted in the principles of dignity, solidarity, and service, its mission extends beyond relief to fostering long-term resilience and inclusion.
📸 EWTN News/ Daniel Ibanez
