MECC
From the MECC Archive: Minutes of the Council’s 10th General Assembly
You can find the full minutes of the MECC 10th General Assembly, held between 29 and 30 November 2011 in Paphos, Cyprus, under the title of “And all who believed were one heart” (Acts 4: 32).
Video - On the Human Fraternity Day and the World Interfaith Harmony Week, From Slogan to Implementation
A video prepared by the MECC Communication and Public Relations Department, which sheds light on many international and interreligious initiatives aiming at consolidating the human fraternity. As well as, the video highlights the initiative of the consultative sessions as part of the "Interfaith Consultation of Social Cohesion in Iraq", jointly organized by the World Council of Churches and the Middle East Council of Churches.
On the International Day of Human Fraternity and the World Interfaith Harmony Week
Iraq an Example of Working Towards Fraternity Through an Ecumenical Initiative
Accepting difference, accepting others, respecting different cultures, religions and beliefs aiming at consolidating the culture of human fraternity. Promoting interreligious and intercultural dialogue for the sake of peace and social stability…
All these values are principles adopted by the Middle East Council of Churches, many international human parties and of course the United Nations. But the most important question remains: is there any real implementation of projects enhancing human values?
Momentum, the Weekly Newsletter from the Middle East Council of Churches
The new issue of the weekly newsletter Momentum issued by the Communication and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches presents a news about the visit of His Holiness Pope Francis to Lebanon soon. As for the weekly message of the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, it was entitled “Valiance in the service of meanness”.
Valiance in the service of meanness
This article is about people's exploitation of people, but rather about people's use of people until they are consumed or they perish.
This article draws from decades of experience in working with people and among them, as well as from university teaching and research in sociology and economics.
“If you see the poor busy, know that the rich have exploited him,” says our popular adage.
This saying covers the socio-economic dimension and the relationship between social classes, and it embodies only part of the truth that this article wants to highlight.
His Holiness Pope Francis on a Visit to Lebanon, But What About the Date?
Gallagher: The Pope is Closely Following Developments in Lebanon
Coming from Rome to Beirut, His Eminence Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Vatican's Secretary for Relations with States, conveyed His Holiness Pope Francis’ closeness to the Lebanese people from all components, expressing the desire of the Pope to visit the wounded Lebanon. According to sources related to Gallagher, His Holiness will make an apostolic visit to the Land of the Cedars. A visit that will take several days and aims to sorrow a glimmer of hope amidst all the difficult circumstances the Lebanese citizens are passing through.
Cash Assistance to Help the Lebanese Families and Preserve Their Dignity
Since two years, Lebanese citizens are suffering from worsening economic crises, and the collapse of the banking system and the Lebanese currency. Aiming at facing this urgent situation, the Middle East Council of Churches continues to support the most affected groups by this economic and living disaster in order to preserve their dignity and protect their right to a decent life. Hence, the Service and Relief Department – Diakonia, Beirut office, implemented a cash assistance program, in partnership and cooperation with the international humanitarian organization Norwegian Church Aid – NCA.
Facing the Cold Winter in Dara’a
MECC Distributed Winter Clothes and Shoes to Children
Aiming at helping families to overcome one of the major winter challenges, the Service and Relief Department – Diakonia, Damascus office, at the Middle East Council of Churches distributed winter clothes for children in Dara’a Al Balad and Um Al-Mayazen in Dara’a Governorate.
From the MECC Archive: Back to the Council’s 10th General Assembly in Pictures
You can find a photo album from the meetings of the MECC 10th General Assembly, held between 29 and 30 November 2011 in Paphos, Cyprus, under the title of “And all who believed were one heart” (Acts 4: 32).
Momentum, the Weekly Newsletter from the Middle East Council of Churches
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 message of the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, entitled “In treason, atonement, and begging religion in politics”. In addition to details and pictures about the honoring of the Legal Adviser and Member of the MECC Executive Committee Lawyer Ibrahim Alfred Traboulsi, on the occasion of awarding him the Order of Saint Gregory the Great at the rank of Commander from His Holiness Pope Francis.
In treason, atonement, and begging religion in politics
Sometimes on media stations, as well as on social media, persons of the media or working in the public field, provide descriptions and accusations against socio-religious groups in the Levant, part of which are Christians churches that are well-established in their identity and heritage and members of the Middle East Council of Churches.
As for the accusations and descriptions, they center around the treachery of these groups, accusing them of being fundamentalist, and comparing them to the Takfiri groups that destroyed Syria and Iraq and almost toppled Lebanon.
The Year of Great Shifts
Report: January 2022
According to global data and analysis, 2022 may be the year where major geopolitical shifts will take place. Nations may either choose to engage each other at a diplomatic level or might find excuses for armed escalation. Both way the Middle East will be impacted by these alterations, and it is up to all nations within this region to work with one another to avoid division during a time when we need unity.
The Middle East Council of Churches Issues the Ecumenical Calendar for February 2022
The Communication and Public Relations Department at the Middle East Council of Churches have now issued its online Ecumenical calendar for the month of February 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.
HE Bishop Joseph Mouawad Highlighting the “Week of Prayer for Christian Unity” on Radio Liban Libre
As part of the eight-day-prayer for the Christian Unity, HE Bishop Joseph Mouawad, President of the Episcopal Committee for Ecumenical Relations for the Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Lebanon, was the guest of Jana Ghazi on Radio Liban Libre RLL, Wednesday 19 January 2022.
During the interview, HE. presented a brief overview about the symbolism of the "Week of Prayer for Christian Unity" and its most prominent historical stations, in addition to its celebrations in the East and the world.
From the MECC Archive: What Are the Messages and Recommendations Included in the Final Communiqué of the MECC 10th General Assembly?
You can find the text of the final communiqué issued by the MECC 10th General Assembly, held between 29 and 30 November 2011 in Paphos, Cyprus, under the title of “And all who believed were one heart” (Acts 4: 32).
MECC Attended the Gulf Churches Fellowship (GCF) Annual Meeting
The Middle East Council of Churches participated in the Gulf Churches Fellowship (GCF) annual meeting, after an absence of several years. It was attended by the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs and the MECC Executive Assistant Mrs. Seta Hadeshian. Noting that the Council is a founding member of the fellowship.
The GCF annual meeting was held online on January 24, 2022 and the agenda covered several matters including the review of the past years activities’ minutes, operational matters, financial reporting as well the election of new members for the Executive committee and the moderator.
At the End of the "Week of Prayer for Christian Unity", Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs on Télé Lumière and Noursat: Every Day Is a Week of Prayer in MECC
Concluding the days of the "Week of Prayer for Christian Unity" 2022, MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs was the guest of the morning TV show “Al Nour Maana” (which means “The Light is with Us) on Télé Lumiere and Noursat, to talk about the importance of the Week of Prayer and its outcomes this year, especially with the continuous work of MECC towards unity. The episode was presented by Lea Adel, and broadcasted on Tuesday 25 January 2022.
HE. Rev. Dr. Habib Badr Guest of Suboro TV: With Patience and Hope, We Reach Through our faith the Desired Goal, Unity of Christians and Churches
Media agencies are still covering the "Week of Prayer for Christian Unity" 2022 to shed light on this historical Christian station. Hence, HE. Reverend Dr. Habib Badr, President of the National Evangelical Union in Lebanon and President of MECC for the Evangelical Family, was the guest of “Kel Yom Bi Yawmo” program (which means “Day by Day”) on Suboro TV, Thursday 20 January 2022.
On the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, What is the Role of Youth in the Ecumenical Work and What Are their Opinions???
Answers in a Special Episode on Télé Lumière and Noursat
As part of the “Week of Prayer for Christian Unity” 2022 celebrations, Télé Lumière and Noursat prepared in cooperation with the Middle East Council of Churches a special episode entitled “Towards Unity”, focusing on the importance of the Week of Prayer and the role of youth in the ecumenical work. The episode was prepared by the MECC Communication and Public Relations Department and presented by Ralph Tawitian, on Sunday 23 January 2022.