Lebanon

• Population: 5,800,000. According to UNOCHA (September 30, 2018), Lebanon is currently hosting 950,000 Syrian refugees.
• Official language: Arabic
• Form of Government: A parliamentary republic with General Joseph Aoun as president and Nawaf Salam as prime minister. The Lebanese government is unique in that it distributes power according to religious denominations. Thus, Lebanon is governed on an equal basis by Christians and Muslims. The President of the Republic and the Chief of the Armed Forces are Maronite Christians, the Prime Minister is a Sunni Muslim, and the Speaker of Parliament is a Shia Muslim.

Christians in Lebanon

The Lebanese government recognizes 12 churches within its borders. In 2025, Christians are estimated to make up about one-third of the population. Demographically, the Maronites are the largest Christian group. They are followed by the Greek Orthodox and the Greek Catholics. The Maronite Patriarch is Cardinal Bechara Raï.

The Role of Churches in Lebanon

When referring to the “Land of the Cedar,” John Paul II spoke of a “message.” Eighteen religious communities have coexisted there for centuries. Among this mosaic, thirteen are Christian, six of which are in communion with Rome. The Church plays a very important role in Lebanese society and enjoys high visibility. Organized into 24 dioceses, it comprises 1,126 parishes, with 53 bishops and 1,543 priests, 390 seminarians, and 62 postulants. The 39 pastoral centers serve all communities. The numerous religious—nearly 2,800—along with 2,301 lay missionaries and 500 catechists, work to pass on the faith.

Catholic education, which is predominantly French-speaking, ranges from preschool through higher education and serves nearly 430,000 students across more than 900 educational institutions, in addition to over 350 support facilities. In the health and social services sector, the Church operates 30 hospitals and 168 clinics, 39 retirement homes, 63 orphanages and daycare centers, 22 centers for family services and the protection of life, and 28 other specialized social service centers.

L'Œuvre d'Orient supports the Lebanese Church in all of these areas.

The country is facing a series of major shocks. The economic, financial, and social crisis that began in 2019 has been compounded by the repercussions of the COVID-19 health crisis, the explosion at the Port of Beirut in August 2020, and a new armed conflict in 2024. These events have exacerbated the dysfunction of public services, undermined development gains, and worsened inequalities.

In September 2024, Israel’s declaration of war against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon led to the displacement of more than one million people, triggering a new migration crisis in a country already severely weakened and without a government. In this context, Œuvre d’Orient provided emergency aid to Christian communities mobilized to take in the displaced. Supporting Lebanon remains at the heart of our mission, with a particular focus on schools.

In 2024, 35% of Œuvre d’Orient’s aid was distributed in Lebanon to support numerous projects. A large portion of these projects focused on education, health, and social and humanitarian initiatives. Œuvre d’Orient supports numerous French-language schools run by religious orders.

In 2024, in response to the humanitarian crisis caused by the conflict in southern Lebanon, Œuvre d’Orient provided immediate support to populations affected by the war. It is within this context that the initiative in Cornet Chewan, a town in southern Lebanon, aims to restore dignity to displaced families. The Sisters of Jesus and Mary provided “vital support” to 200 displaced families. Food, clothing, underwear, pillows, and blankets were distributed by volunteers with the goal of restoring a sense of stability and dignity. Even with the ceasefire, the families still need assistance because they cannot return to their villages.

To learn more about L’Œuvre d’Orient’s work in Lebanon: