“We are grateful for Hungary’s help and compassion”
In his message, Cardinal Rai drew attention to the severe consequences of the Beirut tragedy, the extensive damage that occurred to state and church facilities, and the suffering of Lebanese society and families. A day before, the Hungarian government successfully transferred the aid provided as part of the 'Hungary Helps Programme' to the Lebanese Maronite Church.
In a message to Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Cardinal Béchara Boutros al-Rai, Maronite Catholic Patriarch of Antioch thanked Hungary for its condolences and the financial assistance of EUR 1 million provided for the alleviation of the losses caused by the Beirut explosion, the Hungarian news agency MTI reported on Thursday.
“I’m asking for God’s blessings for Hungary, and I can reassure you that in our prayers we will always be one, in the hope that the country of cedars and saints will rise again as a phoenix, professing the love of God, and the values of peace, justice and freedom,” the Maronite patriarch wrote to the Hungarian Prime Minister.
The leader of the ‘Hungary Helps Programme’ State Secretary Tristan Azbej said the day before that “the good friend is known in trouble and the Hungarians are good friends of the Lebanese people.”
