Mass on the memory of terrorism victims

Under the auspices of catholic Lebanese television Tele-
Lumiere, in the church of Saint Louis in Bab Idriss, Beirut
a mass was held on the memory of the victims of the
terrorist attacks against the U.S.

The mass was celebrated by Bishop Boulos Dahdah who in his
homily reiterated his criticism to terrorism. Dahdah also
considered that revenge and long wars are not the solution
but rather treating the reasons leading to terrorism

Maronite Patriarch warns against schools crisis

The Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir
tackled the school crisis in his homily at the Sunday mass
he held in the Patriarchy in Bkerke.

The Patriarch said the crisis is at its severest this year
on the impoverished parents while the schools themselves
are suffering balance problems, problems that might lead to
the closure of several schools, according to the Patriarch.

Jailed journalist in Lebanon asks Chirac for help

A Lebanese journalist arrested in a crackdown on anti-
Syrian Christians for alleged links with Israel and who
could face the death penalty has written to French
President Jacques Chirac to ask for help.

"If I did not believe firmly in freedom and democracy in
France, I would not have written this letter to ask for
your particular attention during your meetings with
Lebanese officials," Habib Younes said in an open letter.

Chirac is expected to be among the 55 leaders who attend
the October 26-28 meeting in Beirut of French-speaking
nations.

"I am accused of having contacts with the Israeli enemy in
Cyprus, which is punishable under Lebanese law. However, my
entire life proves to what point I am attached to the
respect of Lebanese law," said Younes, who was a Christian
militant during the country's 15-year civil war that ended
in 1990.

He was arrested on August 18 by army intelligence services
during a sweeping crackdown against Christian groups
opposed to Syria's political and military dominance over
their country.

Younes noted to Chirac that he now "expected to miss his
professional duty" during the International Francophonie
Organisation (OIF) summit because of the serious charges
facing him.

He also told the French president that he was asking for
his freedom to say "goodbye" to his "gravely ill father."

Antoine Bassil, a correspondent for Saudi-owned MBC radio,
was also arrested in early August in moves that were
condemned by several nations, including France, and by
press freedom groups.