Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of Beirut and its suburbs Archbishop Elias Audi stressed on Sunday on the importance of holding any criminal, thief, and law violator whosoever accountable for their actions and penalizing them. 

“Nonetheless, Archbishop Moussa Al-Hage’s arrest was unacceptable. It foreshadows new security and judicial approach that has serious repercussions at a country level. Yet, this is risky and unacceptable and we hope that it will not be repeated,” Audi said in his weekly sermon. 

“If Hage’s arrest were a message to the Maronite church, it will neither shift its position nor be intimidated. The church fears nothing but sin and desires nothing but God. It fulfills its duties with utter conscience,” he added. 

Archbishop Audi concluded that the church’s obligation was to respect and love people, preserve their dignity, and defend their freedom.