By Katie Vasquez
Parishioners at Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Cathedral in Brooklyn Heights gathered in prayer as they reflected on the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, a crisis many say feels deeply personal.
“My town came on the list to evacuate. Some people hesitate, some people they wanted to remain,” said Bassem Diab, a parishioner at the cathedral.
Bassem and fellow parishioner Phillip Diab say they are closely watching developments as Israel continues launching strikes on Lebanon and Iran. From Brooklyn, both remain in constant contact with relatives overseas, checking in frequently to make sure their loved ones are safe.
“They kind of had like a little meeting, that we want to remain in our land. We are peaceful people,” Bassem told Currents News. “:We mean no harm to anyone, you know. And that’s one of the reasons they decided to stay,”
Phillip Diab said distance has not lessened the emotional weight of the situation.
“They’re far from us, but they’re with us every minute,” he said. “We check the news, we check social media. What’s up. We speak with people who decided to stay in the village — and our hearts, our prayers are with them.”
Bassem Diab has lived in New York since 1994, but said his bond with his hometown of Ain Ebel remains strong.
“It kind of hit me in the heart,” he said. “Because when you see your town or the neighboring town — that’s Lebanon. That’s the mother we had.”
President Donald Trump has said he will decide along with Israel when the war will end. On Friday, the Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Lebanon issued a statement calling for peace.
Bishop Gregory Mansour of the Maronite Catholic Eparchy said the leaders are urging the international community to work toward an end to the violence.
“They don’t take one side or another, but they say the world is really, really longing for a day in which people can live in peace,” Mansour said. “And they’re calling upon everybody to do what they can to bring a swift end to this horrible situation.”
It is a call for peace that Middle Eastern Catholics like Bassem and Phillip Diab say they share.
“All I can do is pray and try to let my voice be heard,” Bassem Diab said.
“We’re always looking for peace,” Phillip Diab added. “You know, we have no bad intention. We love our neighbors. We want to stay in peace with everybody.”