Archdiocese of Argentina, Bishop John Habib Shamieh: The Reality of Christians presence in the Diaspora
The Ecumenical Spirit in the expatriate countries Is a Necessity
Interview by Huguette Salameh
Translation by Mary Yahchouchy
It is true that Eastern Christians scattered across the globe are estranged from their homelands, but most of them carry their cross, their faith, their values, and the hustle and bustle of life to where they land. They rarely give up, and always find solutions to overcome challenges. Bishop John Habib Shamieh talks about the diaspora and how the Church preserves its children, even when they change parishes and explains how he works as in the Maronite Archdiocese of Argentina to shorten the distance and prevent the homeland from turning into a memory!
During his visit to Lebanon and after the end of the Maronite Church Synod, we held a Zoom meeting with His Excellency Bishop Shamieh to talk about the reality of Christians in the diaspora and the role of the Church. He said: "The fathers responsible for the dioceses in the diaspora carry in their hearts the children of their parishioners, their sorrows, tragedies, expectations and aspirations... Of course, they face the challenge of reaching out to their parishioners in new societies where they sought refuge in search of a decent life.” He added: "Christians who moved to Argentina and Western countries often join the Latin Church, abandoning their original rites and churches. What we are suffering from today is that Maronites, Catholics and Armenians... forget their eastern heritage and join the Latin’s. We thank them for their hospitality and help to our children, but what the Church really needs today is that believers not only preserve their Catholic or Orthodox faith, but also practice faith according to their rites and traditions. We are called to encourage our children to adhere to and join their Church, no matter how far they are.”
Long distances and being cut off from the parish are among the most prominent challenges we face along the need to remind expatriates of their countries, their roots, and their families just as we remind them of their religious heritage and traditions wherever they go.”
The Lebanese Identity
"Unfortunately, it is not new for the Church to suffer from many problems and persecutions since its founding. Today, it seeks preserving and protecting religious minorities in the East. We thank God for the presence of Lebanese organizations and institutions in many regions, preserving the heritage of the Lebanese people and their ancestors," Shamiya added, “this allowed us to get acquainted and communicate with the Lebanese communities. For example, the Maronite Organization in the diaspora and its committed laity working to motivate Christians to register their children in Lebanon, and thus preserve their ancestors’ identity, especially since many are discouraged. As for my duties, since I moved to Argentina in 2013, I have been working hard to achieve these goals because the Lebaneseeasily integrate the Argentine society.
In the United States of America, Canada, and Australia, there are a large number of Maronites who embrace and care for the Lebanese. They are among the countries that help Lebanese Christians and families most, especially in the difficult circumstances the country is going through. They contribute by collecting relief through specific institutions and across regions, hoping that families will reunite again.”
The Native Language
What about the language? How can a Maronite, Orthodox, Melkite Catholic, Chaldean or Syriac... preserve their language and prayers while living in the midst of a society that exclusively speaks Spanish!
His Excellency answers: "The community in Argentina has witnessed 5 or 6 generations... It is one of the oldest communities and very few speak the Arabic language or the Lebanese dialect. In church, we rely on the Spanish language in all our prayers and celebrations as the Gospel and the liturgy were translated into Spanish.
The Arabic language poses an additional challenge from one generation to the following. There were many initiatives to teach the Lebanese people the Arabic language and the Lebanese dialect by writing the Arabic words in Latin letters. The family plays a big role in overcoming this challenge. Unfortunately, many parents and children in Argentina do not speak the Lebanese dialect.
Therefore, we incite the Lebanese people to learn Arabic, Lebanese and even Syriac, the language of the Maronite heritage. In turn, they have the duty to preserve their Syriac identity, heritage and language despite their different nationalities. At the same time, it is necessary to find incentives to link Christians with their original Church in Lebanon and in their mother country.
Youth in the Diaspora
Shamieh also mentioned the role of youth in linking bridges between East and West: “the Maronite Patriarchate invites the youth in the diaspora to visit Lebanon, and organizes trips and meetings to introduce them to their heritage and traditions. The Maronite Church has organized two synods for the youth in the past years through many meetings in Bkerke, Lebanon.
The Maronite Organization in the diaspora set a special office for young people, and organizes online meetings and competitions, the winners of which are given a trip to Lebanon during which they visit Lebanese regions and their families and relatives... Today, we are communicating with the youth who want to visit their homeland and trying to help them achieve their wish.
The Ecumenical Work Abroad
Is living abroad an incentive to strengthen the unity of churches and the ecumenical spirit? Bishop Shamieh confirms that the Church diversity in Argentina is enriching. In Argentina, there are four Eastern Catholic churches, namely Armenian Catholics, Melkite Catholics, Ukrainian Catholics, and Maronites, headed by metropolitans who participate in the Synod of Catholic Bishops in the country, held twice a year for a week each. This includes the Commission for Eastern Churches, which I represented for 6 years. What unites Eastern Christians with Western Latins is the Catholic identity. There are also other organizations for Catholics, Orthodox, Protestants and Evangelicals, and I am in contact with them to strengthen the ecumenical spirit among Christian churches.
In addition to the Christian Federation, there are associations concerned with interreligious dialogue among Muslims, Jews and Christians, in many circumstances and occasions. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Argentina set an office specialized in communicating with different religions, and its tasks lie in coordinating among them, following up on their affairs, assisting them, and organizing activities between them and Christians.
And he concluded by wishing, "Finally, we hope that peace will reign in the region, among all of God's children, so that we may live in peace and tranquility with each other. We also hope that Christians unite and become a testimony to everyone within one Christian family."
Communication and Public Relations Department