Archbishop McCarrick Honored by Lebanese Government On Monday, January 24, Archbishop Theodore E. McCarrick, Archbishop of Newark, was named an Officer of the Order of the Cedars of Lebanon in a ceremony at the Lebanese Embassy in Washington, D.C. Bestowed by His Excellency Dr. Farid Abboud, Ambassador of Lebanon, on behalf of Lebanese President Emile Lahoud, the Order of the Cedars of Lebanon was presented in recognition of the ArchbishopÕs continuous support and concern for the people of Lebanon. The Medal of the Order of Cedars, founded in 1958, is presented to individuals for exceptional services or acts of extreme courage rendered to the State of Lebanon. It was named after the Cedars of Lebanon, of biblical fame. In accepting this honor, Archbishop McCarrick thanked the Lebanese government, and expressed his affection for the people of that beleaguered country. Speaking in English, French and Arabic, he stated: "I hope that the new millennium will see Lebanon restored to her full sovereignty and rightful independence. There is a centuries-long tradition of peaceful coexistence of the major faiths in this land. I hope that this will not only survive, but grow in the new century." Also attending the ceremony were representatives of the Lebanese community in Washington, as well as Archbishop Gabriel Montalvo, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, and His Eminence James Cardinal Hickey, Archbishop of Washington.
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