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We welcomed Hon. Pierre Bou Assi Member of Parliament in Lebanon on 8 November

Principal's Speech

On behalf of the Antonine College community, it is with great pleasure that I welcome the Honourable Pierre Bou Assi, Minister of the Lebanese Parliament to our school today. I acknowledge the presence of Sr Mariette Kareh, Congregational Leader of the Antonine Sisters, Sr Rita Azzi, all our guests, staff and students.

Our College was founded by the Antonine Sisters who came to Australia just over 40 years ago to support the growing Lebanese Maronite community. When the College first opened, most students were Lebanese Maronites. Then as a result of the Antonine Sisters’ hospitality, generous spirit and strong sense of family, a more diverse community developed. The College has grown in numbers and in richness due to the diverse cultures. Our school is successful because of the charism of the Antonine Sisters and those foundational Lebanese cultural traits of hospitality and family. We embrace diversity without losing our identity and where we came from.

No one really wants to leave to their homeland, and as many in this room can attest, when you do leave your homeland, there is always a conflict in your heart about where you truly belong. My father came to Australia from Lebanon in the 1940’s as a teenager – well before multiculturalism was fully embraced here. For me he maintained a perfect balance – he always kept true to his Lebanese identity, culture and religion, while proudly taking on the Australian values of giving everyone a fair go and being open to and tolerant of others. And this is what we hope for our students in Australia, that they maintain their religious and cultural identity, knowing who they are and where they come from, while being active citizens in Australia and contributing to the future of this country we call our home.

We have been saddened by Lebanon’s struggle to live in peace and to have security. We are troubled by recent conflicts which have revisited not only Lebanon, but also by all the conflicts in the region and neighbouring countries too.

We know your heart must be heavy with all you see in Lebanon; but we also know that it is important that we have leaders like yourself who continue to work towards a more peaceful and secure Lebanon for all people. We are grateful to all those in Lebanon who work for Lebanon’s independence and future prosperity.

This year, the Australian Catholic Bishops released a statement entitled, Truth and Peace-A Gospel Word in a Violent World. The statement calls for us to be architects of peace through education and by ensuring that truth is always pursued especially in this world of misinformation. For without truth, there cannot be peace.

I share with you a Quote from Pope John Paul II delivered a speech on World Peace Day in 1980:

Those who love peace know this and they say so... Those committed to violence know it also, but they do not say so, and they deceive public opinion by holding up the glittering prospect of a radical and speedy solution, and then settle into their lie and explain away the constantly repeated delays in the coming of the freedom that had been promised and the abundance that had been assured.

Although this speech was made forty-four years ago, we can certainly still apply this speech today. What we need in the world now, and particularly in the Middle East, is Truth; then we can build Trust; and then, that can lead to Peace.

Our prayers are with you, and all leaders in Lebanon, who work for Truth, Trust and Peace. Thank you for all you do for Lebanon and for visiting our school today.

- Ms Joanne Bacash