Syrian Brothers to speak at Marist European Conference

The three Syrian Marist brothers of Aleppo are giving their testimony during the Marist European Conference currently taking place in Harissa, Lebanon.

Brothers Georges Albert Hakim, Georges Sabe and Bahjat Azrie are updating the Marist Brothers in the May 11-13 Conference on the country’s current situation and their daily struggle to help children and families amidst the ongoing violence.

The encounter is taking place at the Conference Center of Beithania, next to the Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon in the village of Harissa, 20km north of Beirut.

During the event, participants will meet with the head of the Maronite Catholic Church, Patriarch Béchara Boutros Raï, and they will visit important cultural and historical sites of Lebanon.

A total of 20 brothers are participating in the Conference, including Superior General Brother Emili Turú, five brother provincials from Europe and a representative of each Provincial Council.

Coordinators of the four European commissions that depend directly on the Conference – Mission, Brothers Today, Vocations, and Communion between lay people and Brothers – are also taking part, as well as two General Councillors, brothers Antonio Ramalho and Ernesto Sanchez.

Brothers Antonio and Ernesto are the link between the General Council and the European provinces.

Brother João Carlos do Prado and Luca Olivari will talk about “New Models of Animation, Government and Management,” one of the meeting’s topics.

Aside from formation, other topics that are being discussed at the Conference include finance, new international communities and a proposal for a retreat for the whole Marist Europe on “regionalization.”