The SSPX's Mission in Lebanon

Source: District of the USA

The Society of Saint Pius X’s (SSPX) mission in Lebanon dates back over three decades. However, few outside the country remain aware of the Society’s apostolate there.

The Society of Saint Pius X’s (SSPX) mission in Lebanon dates back over three decades, though its presence in the country remains modest. Lebanese Christians, like their neighbors throughout the Middle East, belong primarily to one of several Eastern communions. Those that remain in communion with Rome include, among others, the Melkite Greek Catholic Church, the Syriac Catholic Church, and the Maronite Catholic Church. Each of these sui iuris (autonomous) churches use their own rite, meaning that the number of faithful in the region celebrating the Latin Rite remains small. Those adhering to the Latin Rite in its traditional form remain smaller still.

Though estimates vary, Lebanese Catholics who follow the Roman Rite number around 15,000. Moreover, due to civil war, general social unrest, hostility from local Muslim populations, and external threats from Israel, Latin Lebanese Catholics have steadily left the country, thus reducing the demand for priests to administer the sacraments according to the traditional Roman Rite. Despite these obstacles, those faithful left in Lebanon who seek the sacraments and traditional formation have not been abandoned. From its priories in France and Germany, the SSPX continues to send priests to Lebanon so that Latin Catholics are not left without access to their spiritual patrimony.

Due to increasing instability in the Middle East as a result of Israel’s multi-front war on neighboring populations, the future of the SSPX’s mission and the stability of Catholic communities as a whole in Lebanon is uncertain. Catholics are encouraged to offer prayers for their beleaguered coreligionists, especially at this time, and for the success of the Society’s work among one of the most ancient Christian populations in the world. 

For those seeking more information on the SSPX’s mission and Catholicism in Lebanon, the following links provide more detailed information, including directions on donating to the Society’s work.
 

 

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