Conflicting
reports continue to emerge over the Vatican’s decision regarding
Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Butros Sfeir’s resignation, as Lebanese
religious and political leaders prepare to head for Rome next week to
participate in the unveiling of the statue of Saint Maroun in Saint
Peter’s square.
Sfeir
submitted his resignation to the Vatican late last year, but it remains
unknown whether the election of a new patriarch, if Sfeir’s resignation
is accepted, will take place before or after the election of a number of
Maronite bishops to replace those who have reached the retirement age
of 75.
The bishops who
have reached retirement age could still vote to elect a new patriarch as
long as their successors have not been appointed, while the patriarch
has no retirement age.
Some media have speculated that a new patriarch will be elected on March 8, but sources close to Bkirki have described such reports as “rumors” since Sfeir’s resignation has yet to be accepted.
The reports said the pope was expected to announce his acceptance of Sfeir’s resignation on Feb. 22, when he meets Sfeir on the sidelines of the unveiling of Saint Maroun’s statue.
Some media have speculated that a new patriarch will be elected on March 8, but sources close to Bkirki have described such reports as “rumors” since Sfeir’s resignation has yet to be accepted.
The reports said the pope was expected to announce his acceptance of Sfeir’s resignation on Feb. 22, when he meets Sfeir on the sidelines of the unveiling of Saint Maroun’s statue.
President Michel Sleiman and other top officials are scheduled to accompany Sfeir during the trip to the Vatican.
The prefect of the Congregation of Oriental Churches at the Vatican, Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, is due in Beirut on Mar. 14 to take part in ceremonies to be held in Bkirki to celebrate
the silver jubilee of Sfeir’s election as patriarch and his golden jubilee as a bishop.