Carlos Slim Helúa Mexican businessman and engineer widely recognized as one of the richest men in the world, is not only notable for his business legacy, but also for his devotion to Maronite Catholicism.
Descendant of a Lebanese family, Slim has maintained a strong connection with this faith, a branch of Christianity that fuses Eastern and Western traditions in its practice.
What is Maronite Catholicism
Maronite Catholicism belongs to the Eastern Catholic Churches and has its roots in ancient Antioch. The Maronite Church, also known as the Syriac Maronite Church of Antioch, is part of the 24 sui iuris Churches that make up the Catholic Church. It uses West Syriac, a language derived from Aramaic, in its liturgies, as well as Lebanese Arabic as an auxiliary language.
The name of this church comes from Saint Marón, a hermit monk from the 4th century, whose life and teachings inspired his followers to form a community that endures to this day. From its patriarchal headquarters in Bkerké, Lebanon, the Maronite Church is presided over by the Patriarch of Antioch of the Maronites, who acts under the guidance of the Pope.
This tradition is distinguished by its deep Marian devotion and its emphasis on the real presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist. In addition, it maintains a special connection with the Council of Chalcedon of the year 451, which reinforces its Chalcedonian position within the history of the Church.
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Although Slim is primarily known for his role as president of Telefonos de México (Telmex) and founder of Grupo Carso, a conglomerate with a presence in telecommunications, construction, health, energy and other sectors, his faith is also a central aspect of his life. This spirituality was instilled in him from a young age due to his Lebanese roots and has influenced the way he leads and contributes to the world.
According to the official website of the Maronite Church, this tradition reinforces the importance of unity within diversity, highlighting values such as humility, solidarity and religious devotion. These characteristics have been reflected in Slim’s philanthropic activities, who has allocated billions of dollars to education, health and cultural development in Mexico and the world.
The Maronite Church is characterized by its rich liturgical and spiritual tradition. Among its saints, figures such as Saint Marón, Charbel Makhlouf and Rebekah of Himlaya stand out, who are references for the Maronite faithful throughout the world. This sacred lineage connects Slim and other followers to a legacy that combines history, faith and culture, making Maronite Catholicism a jewel within the mosaic of the Catholic Church.
