A charter for political conduct under the teachings of the Church was launched Thursday in a joint initiative by Lebanese churches to regulate political life in Lebanon which has "deviated" from its rightful path.
The charter was launched in Beirut at the end of a conference hosting representatives of Lebanon's various churches and political factions.
Former minister Roger Deeb told the conference that the document lists three commitments: to regulate ties between the government and the Palestinian authority in Lebanon; to ensure that all weapons are within state control; and to establish normal relations with Syria.
Explaining the idea behind the charter, Bishop Beshara el Rai said: "The Lebanese political life has deviated from its role" as a tool to serve the public. Therefore, there is a need to educate and guide (the political) conscience back to the right track.
"He said it was "a gift of the spirit and was a result of the annual spiritual training carried out by the Maronite patriarch and the bishops.
"The charter described politics as "an honest form of art based on a set of principles and aimed to serve (the people).
"It advised voters to "choose freely" the candidates who have a high sense of ethics and are most qualified to engage in political life. It cautioned against using "extremism" as a cursor to select candidates in the June 7 parliamentary elections.
Addressing the candidates, the charter said parliamentary hopefuls must "be loyal to Lebanon, aware of the country's unique attributes and committed to preserving free decision-making." In addition, candidates must be supporters of democracy and human right and present "transparent" electoral programs.
The document also called for the state and the Church to be "independent from one another.
"It also placed said both Christian and Muslim sects have a shared responsibility to preserve Lebanon's unique character and protect it from vanishing.
Originally published in Naharnet.com
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