WWW.THEFLORIDACATHOLIC.ORG | Sept. 28-Oct. 11, 2018 | Volume 79, Number 22 ORLANDO DIOCESE PALM BEACH DIOCESE VENICE DIOCESE Good to horse around Inspirational leadership Supporting migrants App reveals wonders of religions in Lebanon DOREEN ABI RAAD “Because Lebanon is considered Lebanon's Catholic News Service an Arab country, sometimes people sanctuary assume it’s a Muslim country only of Saydet BEIRUT | From its high majes- or that it’s related to the Islamic El Mantara tic mountains, picturesque villages world, but Christianity was born in (Our Lady and coastal towns to its bustling cit- this area,” Farra Haddad said. of Waiting) ies, Lebanon is rich in breathtaking “I think people who have a cu- in Magh- scenery, cultural diversity and reli- riosity about the Holy Land forget doucheh is gious sites. that South Lebanon is a part of the pictured in Now the land of the cedars men- Holy Land where Jesus Christ and this 2016 photo. A tioned in the Bible 96 times is ac- the Virgin Mary walked,” Farra free app cessible virtually, via a free app in Haddad said, referring to Sidon and in English, English — called Holy Lebanon — Tyre. “There is no doubt about that.” called Holy aimed at promoting religious tour- In Lebanon, Christians account Lebanon, ism. for approximately 40 percent of the is aimed at “Even if you can’t come to Leba- population. The country’s president promoting non to visit, you can download the is a Maronite Catholic, and half of religious app and have an idea about differ- the country’s 128 parliamentary tourism. ent religious sites around the coun- seats are reserved for Christians. (PHOTOS BY try,” Nour Farra Haddad, developer Lebanon has approximately 900 NOUR FARRA of the Holy Lebanon app, told Cath- religious sites dedicated to Mary, HADDAD olic News Service. according to the app. That’s not | CNS) “Holy Lebanon,” introduced in counting informal shrines, thou- June, was followed in July with an sands of which dot the country near announcement from the Vatican buildings and roadsides. that it will authorize official pil- Aside from the sites of Lebanon’s rector of Harissa, told CNS. grimage visits to Lebanon in 2019. native saints — Charbel, Rafka and Father Alwan said it is fitting that The multifaith app features 300 Hardini — which are visited by Muslim sites are included in the religious sites, representative of all Christians and Muslims, St. George app. of Lebanon’s 18 religious traditions, is the most popular saint, with 350 “In Lebanon, Christians and including Catholic, Orthodox and Christian sites and about 20 Mus- Muslims coexist. This is the mission Muslim. The sites include church- lim sites. of Lebanon. That’s what John Paul es, monasteries, convents, shrines Western saints — including Sts. II said,” he emphasized, referring to and sanctuaries as well as mosques, Francis of Assisi, Rita, Bernadette the saint’s quote: “Lebanon is more many dating back centuries ago. of Lourdes and Therese of Lisieux than a country. It is a message of “It is just a beginning,” Farra — also hold a special place in be- freedom and an example of plural- Haddad said, noting that more sites lievers’ hearts, and churches and ism for East and West.” will be added to the Holy Lebanon sanctuaries dedicated to them can “Lebanon is a holy land for Mus- app in the future. be found throughout Lebanon. lims and Christians,” Father Alwan While the app took two years to By far the most popular pilgrim- added. develop, it is based on Farra Had- age site is the Our Lady of Lebanon The Holy Lebanon app also hap- dad’s 10 years of research as a reli- shrine and basilica — Harissa — pens to coincide with Harissa’s gious anthropologist. perched high above the Mediter- yearlong commemoration of the Lebanon, about two-thirds ranean Sea. Each year more the Marian shrine’s jubilee, 110 years The Valley of the Saints in Lebanon is pictured in this 2009 photo. the size of Connecticut, is visibly shrine receives than 2 million pil- since the shrine was inaugurated steeped in religion. grims, Muslims and Christians in 1908. Until Aug. 4, 2019, pilgrims have told her the app is simple to historical details about each of the “This is something that really alike, as Mary is venerated by Mus- to the Marian shrine can receive an use. 300 religious sites; background surprises people: We have about lims, and a full chapter is devoted to indulgence offered by the Vatican. From anywhere in the world, the about the saint or holy figure; de- 6,000 religious sites all around Leb- her in the Quran. Farra Haddad pointed out that Holy Lebanon app can be down- tails about Christian and Muslim anon,” Farra Haddad said, although “It’s very important to let people the Holy Lebanon app was designed loaded for free from the App Store rituals; a calendar of feast days and she notes that no formal compre- around the world know that there for friendly navigation. “It’s not or Google Play. celebrations; suggested itineraries hensive survey of the exact number are Christians in Lebanon,” Ma- complicated, and the menu is easy,” Navigating between the six sec- for tours; and lodging possibilities of sites has been compiled. ronite Father Khalil Alwan, vice she said, adding that elderly people tions of the app, users can access at monasteries and convents. n WWW.THEFLORIDACATHOLIC.ORG | Sept. 28-Oct. 11, 2018 FLORIDACatholic ORLANDO DIOCESE German bishops apologize formally, show sex abuse data New App ZITA BALLINGER FLETCHER Catholic News Service puts faith at your WASHINGTON | The head of the German bishops conference formally apologized for sexual abuse in the church, saying it “has been denied, turned away from and covered up for far fingertips too long.” “Sexual abuse is a crime,” Cardinal Reinhard Marx of Munich and Freising told a news confer- ence Sept. 25 in Fulda, Germany. “And whoever is guilty of it must be punished by law.” The bishops met in a plenary session in Fulda and released a study, conducted on behalf of the bishops’ conference from 2010 to 2014, on abuse. The study, leaked earlier in September, researched an estimated 3,700 sex abuse cases in the German church. Cardinal Marx said that, although prevention measures had been put in place by the bishops’ conference, it was not enough. “I feel shame for looking away from many who did not want to believe what happened and who did not provide care for the victims. That also ap- plies to me,” the cardinal said. “We did not listen to the victims.” “As a church, we want to build up new trust. I know that many people do not believe us any- The Faith Fit App allows the faithful to connect and engage with the community through latest diocesan news, motivating more. And I understand that,” he said. “But I podcasts, videos and interactive courses to enrich faith. It can be downloaded from the App store. (GLENDA MEEKINS l FC) hope very much that we can earn trust again.” Criminologists who conducted the study were ELIZABETH WILSON someone during your morning and evening teractive. The app helps drown out the present in a panel to discuss their findings and Florida Catholic correspondent commute? Check out the ‘Prayer’ tab and noise of a secular world and brings in the answer media questions. build your devotion to prayer.” focus on holiness.” The details of the research project’s findings ORLANDO | For Catholics in the Dio- Laguna said it was important to create “When we think of our faith life we think in all 27 German dioceses were released. Ten di- cese of Orlando, enkindling a deeper faith an app that was easy to use, but also fun of praying, but faith is also exercise and oceses were selected for research dating back to has never been easier. The newly rede- and interactive. One of the new features is growing,” said Bishop John Noonan. “We 1946. Within the remaining 17 dioceses, the re- signed Faith Fit app puts prayers, spiritual the ability for users to record messages and can read the Bible and deepen our prayer search focused only on abuse dating from 2000. reflections, videos, podcasts and the latest videos and share photos right from the app, life. We can read the Catechism to deepen The names of those accused were withheld from diocesan news right at the user’s fingertips. allowing the entire diocese to evangelize our understanding of our faith. We can read the document. Whether at home or on the go, the easy to and share the beauty of the faith in a whole the lives of the saints to enrich our spiritual In the Diocese of Trier, records dating from use and attractive interface, along with new way. life. Our faith becomes fit if we do these 1946 implicated 148 priests and left an estimated the variety of topics and resources offered, “I feel it’s important to include the people things regularly.” total of 442 victims, of whom 252 were male. The makes this app an indispensable resource of the Diocese of Orlando in the conversa- The Faith Fit app can offer something study results from Trier have garnered much at- for anyone looking to grow in holiness. tion about faith,” Drow said. “Now users new nearly every time a user checks in. tention from German media outlets. “Faith Fit has something for everyone. can contact us and tell us what’s going on New podcasts, stories, prayers and videos Bishop Stephan Ackermann of Trier, bishops’ Whether you’re 18 or 80, I am certain you in their communities.