His Beatitude Patriarch Anba Ibrahim Isaac Receives the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs and the MECC Delegation
You can find some photos at the end of the text.
Cairo, January 28, 2026
As part of his visit to the Arab Republic of Egypt to participate in the 2026 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, and amidst great warmth and affection, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs visited His Beatitude Patriarch Anba Ibrahim Isaac, Coptic Catholic Patriarch and President of the Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Egypt, at the Patriarchate in Cairo.
Attendees were also His Grace Bishop Thomas Adly, Bishop of the Coptic Catholic Diocese of Giza, Fayoum and Beni Suef, and Member of the Executive Committee of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC).
The MECC delegation included the Associate Secretary General Reverend Refaat Fikry, Coordinator of the Social Cohesion, Dialogue, and Human Dignity Program Professor Laure Abi Khalil, and Coordinator of the Church Relations and Media at MECC the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary.
During the meeting, both sides discussed many topics highlighting the Council's work and its humanitarian, social, Theological, and media programs.
Discussions focused also on the issue of strengthening cooperation among Churches as a means of positive interaction amidst current challenges.
As well as, both sides recalled the most significant events of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV's historic and Apostolic visit to Lebanon and the positive impact it had on various national, humanitarian, and coexistence levels.
They also discussed several future initiatives that require action and that would contribute to the development of humanity.
Moreover, two new MECC publications were presented. The first one, available on the MECC digital platfroms, includes 23 seminars, roundtables, and online seminars organized by the Dialogue, Social Cohesion, and Rehabilitation of Human Dignity Program.
The second one, also available on the MECC digital platforms, is a publication prepared by the MECC Theological and Ecumenical Department entitled “Towards a Common Date for Easter”, The Aleppo Statement 1997, in Arabic.
