Monsignor Labaki's Family Urges Christian Interference with Vatican, Appeal in Sexual Abuse Case

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The family of Monsignor Mansour Labaki urged on Saturday Christian figures in the country to intervene with high authorities at the Vatican to allow an appeal in the case of the Maronite father.

Labaki was charged by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith at the Vatican with sexually abusing several minors, LBCI television reported on Tuesday, quoting the French magazine La Croix.

"We urge Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi, Beirut Maronite Bishop Boulos Matar, the Maronite Bishops council and all bishops and monks to intervene with Vatican authorities,” the family of Labaki urged at a press conference.

"We call on them and on the colleagues of Labaki and his students to get Pope Francis' blessings to allow an appeal in the case.”

According to the French magazine's report, the Vatican's office charged Labaki on June 19 after a two-years investigations.

The Monsignor reportedly appealed the sentence, but his appeal was rejected by Rome, the LBCI noted.

He was sentenced to a life of penitence and he will also be banned from conducting any ecclesiastical duties or participating in public appearances, La Croix said.

Labaki, 73, is a well-known figure in Lebanon and is the founder of a spiritual movement called Lo Tedhal.

He has also written several books, and composed famous hymns.

SourceNaharnet
Comments 20
Thumb haile.selassie. over 10 years

shameful and funny. How dare his family asks for help from the high authorities and blabla when their relative had been proven guilty. Even if hes a well known figure or a writer or whatever hes a Pedophile and a proven one so his family should shut up.

Missing rami over 10 years

Correct, i wonder how they even had the guts to come out and do a press conference, they are the ones who should be hiding, not asking for his release.

Missing halaktouna77 over 10 years

Something is seriously wrong ... I find myself agreeing with on several topics ... however jokes aside, I am 1000% with you on this one

Thumb chrisrushlau over 10 years

Let him take his case to a civil court.

Missing imagine-1979 over 10 years

As a secular person it hurts me like hell writting theses words: i believe that our lebanese jusdicial system will take jngo consideration his rank, his family influence, the image of yhe church (as if protecting such a person would benefit the church image, such persons are ruining the church image).... If we had a fair unbiased civil judicial sustem of course yes but till then.... I really wish that a civil court takes over from here but i'm afraid of our civil court corruption...

Missing imagine-1979 over 10 years

It is sad, i never imagined that i would not trust the lebanese judicial system that much... Prefering the jugment of a religious tribunal, uff...really hurts my secular mind.... And still some asks why i prefer the STL to our judicial system....

Missing imagine-1979 over 10 years

So he can appeal in france to clear his image?

Default-user-icon JKR (Guest) over 10 years

@anonymetexasusa Actually, he was never tried in French courts, it was only the Vatican courts. It was the same courts that rejected the appeal ("the appeal was rejected by ROME"). There is no way in hell the ultra-secular French judicial system could accept a pedophile to be sentenced to "a life of penitence and prayer", that's not even a real sentence.

P.S. This is IN NO WAY a defense of Labaki. I just find it really bizarre that French courts haven't taken action since he's accused of committing his transgressions on French soil.

Missing imagine-1979 over 10 years

Usualy the vatican turn a blind eye and try to cover such abuse, in that case the verdict was clear and official... So imagine how bad lpnsenieur was.... He tooked advantage of minors and in lebanon we still have people going on the open to try to potect him.... What a shame... How in hell can they ho and take position sith him? Raking advantage of children...

Missing imagine-1979 over 10 years

Agree

Default-user-icon muhami (Guest) over 10 years

shouldn't this be a criminal case? pedophilia is a crime. the families of the victims should be demanding criminal prosecution. What is lifetime of penitence?

Default-user-icon Rajeh EL KHOURY (Guest) over 10 years

I think he should be in prison not asked to pray !!!

Thumb benzona over 10 years

Did he appreciate little boys, girls or both?

Thank God Lebanon is not infested with pædophiles as it is here in Europe.

Missing un520 over 10 years

There is a mouse in every house. I dont think for a minute that Lebanon is free of pedophiles. It is just so much more shame connected with being a victim. Too much pride and prestige at stake not only for the boys and girls, but for the family as a whole.

Thumb benzona over 10 years

Yup. Shameful on various levels!

Default-user-icon Ray (Guest) over 10 years

The Catholic church is evil , they are a wicked evil organization has nothing to do with God , they are Not following the real message of christianity which is the teaching of jesus christ . Jesus is the only way to heaven , not the pop ,not the priest ,not the saints ,the salvation made by jesus when he died on the cross for your sin ,so you will be saved by jesus christ ONLY . He gave us a free gift to heaven ,all what you have to do is to accept it ,repent from your sins and belive that jesus paid the price for you so you can be saved and go to heaven not because you are good but becuse of the grace that jesus gave you so any one belive in him shall be saved .

Missing MyNigga over 10 years

So did you copy paste all that from some random protestant website? Clearly forgetting Catholicism has been around as early as Jesus' disciples.. and it wasn't until 1500 years later protestant movement was started.. that's 1500 years later.. That movement went its own way adjusting itself and watering down the teaching of the Christ just to suit society and attract more followers..

Wicked evil organization, yet it is the most generous organization in the world ..for millenniums! All the donations made my the Catholic church and it's followers have never been matched since the start of it. Billions of dollars a year are sent into education and health facilities around the world to help people, whether they are Christians, Muslims or whatever.

Deception is the Devil's game, don't play into it!

Default-user-icon Zingavrosh Manakwalaj (Guest) over 10 years

Like most Lebanes, the famiglia seem to be used to "wastat." In any case, those who might get involved are known and it is known why: Elie Marouni, George Adwan, Potato Nadim and his cousin Samasimo. Good luck.

Missing MyNigga over 10 years

The difference is that there are no basis or grounds in the Bible for what this priest did (or allegedly did). It is completely unacceptable in a secular as well as in a religious/Christian society.

But in Islam, it is permitted. As you look to your "prophet" who married Aisha when she was 6 years old and apparently was so nice that he waited till she turned 9 years old to sleep with her.

"And (as for) those of your women who have despaired of menstruation, if you have a doubt, their prescribed time shall be three months, and of those too who have not had their courses; and (as for) the pregnant women, their prescribed time is that they lay down their burden; and whoever is careful of (his duty to) Allah He will make easy for him his affair."
Qur'an 65:4

Default-user-icon RR (Guest) over 10 years

We always "ShatreeN" to Stone ...!!!!!!!!! Please...Let us Pray...!!!!!! "INSHALAH EL KAMHA LI nzar3et bi kloubna Tmout w Tinma wit Zahhir Mahabbeh"""""""""""""La Toudinouuu kay La Toudanou"!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PLEASE GO AND SEARCH FOR St.Padre Pio's Story.......!!!!!!!!!!! For sure You Will understand then....what I MeaN!!!!!!!!!
OUR PRAYERS WITH You Father Labaki....Forever!!!! AMEn