AJALTOUN, Lebanon — Maronite Catholics attacked a newly built, independent Baptist church near Beirut Aug. 2, mauling churchgoers preparing to host war refugees from southern Lebanon.
More than 20 men from Ajaltoun village attacked Christ Bible Baptist Church, slashing car tires, breaking the church door and windows, stealing computer and sound equipment, beating men and groping several women. “Police were at the church watching everything,” Baptist Pastor Raymond Abou-Mekhael said. “They even advised the attackers on what to steal and vandalize.”
The violence flared up after of several weeks of tense public debate between Maronite and Baptist clergy. The Maronite Church is an Eastern Rite church in communion with Rome.
Nabil Costa, executive director of the Lebanese Society for Educational and Social Development, which owns the Arab Baptist Theological Seminary in Beirut, Lebanon, said the situation should soon be resolved, as legal proceedings are under way. He noted, however that “We as Baptists need to deal with the Maronites in a more sensitive way. These days are critical and tense to all people.”
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