Report: 24 November 2021

According to a new report by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), corona in the Middle East is severely hindering progress towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals in the Middle East and North Africa region.

Training to Improve the Capabilities of the MECC Team

Developing the working group performance in any institution or organization contributes the most in enhancing the work mechanisms and improving the productivity. The Middle East Council of Churches is keen to organize periodic training courses for its department’s teams aiming at developing their skills in various fields in order to achieve the desired Ecumenical and humanitarian goals.

The new issue of the weekly newsletter Momentum issued by the Communication and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches, presents an exclusive interview with His Beatitude Patriarch Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian, after his appointment as Patriarch of Cilicia for the Armenian Catholics. He said “After 30 years God sent me back to my starting point, Beirut, I am nothing but a servant and priest fulfilling the will of Jesus Christ”.

As for the weekly message of the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, it was entitled “Towards the Twelfth General Assembly”.

His Beatitude Patriarch Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian

Patriarch of Cilicia for the Armenian Catholics

‘After 30 years God sent me back to my starting point, Beirut’

‘I am nothing but a servant and priest fulfilling the will of Jesus Christ’

With complete surrender, he passed his priestly journey, and he was the faithful servant whom his master entrusted over many things, so he chose him as a Patriarch at the head of the Armenian Catholic Church.

His Beatitude Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian Patriarch of Cilicia for the Armenian Catholics believes that God’s hand is in his in every stage of his mission. He started off in Lebanon, then Jerusalem, the United States of America, to Eastern Europe, to finally returned after 30 years to his starting point as Patriarch seated in Beirut.

Report: 1 to 15 November 2021

Several countries around the world have been hit with energy crises during the past month. This alone is indicative that the world must start to shift to cleaner forms of renewable energy. The Middle East is no stranger to what’s happening and has begun implementing some projects in some areas that aim to decrease dependency on fossil reserves.

Report: 17 November 2021

The corona situation in the Middle East over the past week has been only getting worse. Fueled by limited vaccination schemes, the numbers of new corona cases are increasing.

The new issue of the weekly newsletter Momentum issued by the Communication and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches, presents details of the Congratulatory Visit to the Patriarch of Cilicia for the Armenian Catholics His Beatitude Raphaël Minassian, held by a delegation from the MECC General Secretariat headed by Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs. As for the weekly message of Dr. Abs, it was entitled “So that identity does not become a tool of devastation”.

H.E Bishop Paul Rouhana:

‘The Lord invited us to be a Church’

‘Love is a spiritual battle we fight to free ourselves from ego and anger. Without it, our journey together would fail’

Injustice, hate speech, corruption, unfairness... All these are expressions that have always dominated the global scene, especially the Levantine, at a time when societies are suffering from severe crises on every front: health, environmental, economic, cultural, and political. But does anyone hear the pain of those marginalized? Are there initiatives contributing to alleviating the crisis? What is the Church’s role in all of the above?

A delegation from the General Secretariat of the Middle East Council of Churches visited His Beatitude Patriarch Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian, the new Patriarch of Cilicia for the Armenian Catholics at the Patriarchate headquarters in Beirut. The delegation congratulated Minassian on his election as Patriarch and head of the Armenian Church, which has a remarkable role among the MECC member Churches.

Report: 10 November 2021

More countries in the Middle East are reporting increased daily corona rates during a time governments are declaring lax measures.

Under the patronage and presence of the Maronite Patriarchal Vicar of Sarba, H.E Bishop Paul Rouhana, former MECC Secretary General, the Council’s General Secretariat organized a spiritual retreat presided over by the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs. The retreat was held on Friday, November 5, 2021, at the Saint Paul Monastery - Patriarchal Maronite Diocese, Vicariate of Sarba, Keserwan - Lebanon, which is newly renovated.

The new issue of the weekly newsletter Momentum issued by the Communication and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches, presents the news of the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs’ participation as a guest in an episode entitled “You are the salt of the earth” as part of the TV program “La Takhaf” on Télé Lumière and Noursat, in addition to the full video of the episode. As for the weekly message of Dr. Abs, it was entitled “Starving and bringing to kneels to Avoid Accountability”.

Report: 16 to 31 October 2021

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) stated that Middle East region is on track to economic recovery. Yet similarly to the World Bank, it claimed that rising social unrest and unemployment are slowing down progress. The IMF’s statement comes during a time countries are adopting a more cooperative approach with one another and are receiving inbound investments. Hopefully, governments will heed such remarks for the welfare of the average citizen.

Report: 3 November 2021

Compared to the rest of the world, the Middle East at the epidemiological level is doing much better: Most of the ME countries are recording decreasing daily corona rates as entire continents such as Europe are reporting increasing numbers.

The Evangelical Reformation Sunday, what Does it Symbolize?

It is an invitation to openness, to adhere to an open mind and accept others regardless of their belief, religion, or sect. It is the Evangelical Reformation, a call to achieve the best of each one of us, live God’s love with others, and change everything that hinders or contradicts this love: “I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)

The new issue of the weekly newsletter Momentum issued by the Communication and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches, presents the news of the Ceremony of the Appointment of His Beatitude Catholicos Patriarch of Cilicia for the Armenian Catholics Raphael Bedros XXI. As for the weekly message of the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, it was entitled “You are the salt of the earth: trust, testimony, and role”.

Arzobispo Abdel Sater:
«El objetivo principal de un misionero cristiano es presentar a todos el amor de Dios por ellos»

En el Domingo Mundial de las Misiones, el Arzobispo Maronita de Beirut, S.E.R. Mons. Boulos Abdel Sater convocó una misa el domingo 24 de octubre de 2021 en la catedral maronita de San Jorge en Beirut. Funcionarios de diferentes sectores profesionales participaron en llevar el mensaje al mundo, especialmente periodistas, profesionales de los medios de comunicación, jueces, abogados, médicos e ingenieros. El Departamento de Comunicación y Relaciones Públicas del Consejo de Iglesias del Oriente Medio participó en la misa junto con la directora del departamento, la Sra. Huguette Salameh.

The Communication and Public Relations Department at the Middle East Council of Churches have now issued its digital Ecumenical calendar for the month of November 2021. It includes the Ecclesiastical and Liturgical feasts of the various families of Churches in the Middle East. In addition to international days identified by the United Nations, and which are related to the MECC identity and its spiritual and human mission. Noting that the remaining months of the year will be published consecutively.

Report: 27 October 2021

Within the reporting period Jordan and Syria reported an increase in the rate of new COVID cases. They are mimicking a general trend observed in Europe and East Asia as Corona is making a comeback.

Archbishop Abdel Sater:

“The primary goal of a Christian missionary is to introduce everyone to the love of God for them”

On World Mission Sunday, Maronite Archbishop of Beirut HE Mrg. Boulos Abdel Sater called for a Mass on Sunday October 24, 2021 at St. George’s Maronite Cathedral in Beirut. Officials from different professional sectors participated in carrying the message to the world, especially journalists, media professionals, judges, lawyers, doctors, and engineers... The Communication and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches participated in the Mass alongside the Head of Department Mrs. Huguette Salameh.