The Middle East Council of Churches’ Presidents, Leaders representing various Churches of the region, and youth from Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, Egypt and Iraq are gathering together at the MECC Executive Committee meeting which is being held on Monday 28 and Tuesday 29 November 2022 at Saydet El Bir Monastery in Bkennaya, Lebanon.

The video presents a quick tour of the first day’s activities.

“UNITE to End Violence Against Women Campaign”

The Middle East Council of Churches is participating with ACT Alliance in the UN international campaign “UNITE to End Violence Against Women Campaign” during 16 days of activism. The campaign includes photos and slogans prepared specially for the campaign by the ACT member organizations.

MECC also stands in solidarity with all women who are victims of violence and calls on all concerned parties to take the necessary measures which aims to end this violence.

16 Days of Activism to Eliminate Violence Against Women

MECC Participates with ACT Alliance in the UN International Campaign

The international campaign “UNITE to End Violence against Women Campaign” kicks off today Friday 25 November. It begins on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and ends on the International Human Rights Day on 10 December. This annual campaign of 16 days of activism is launched this year at a time the rate of violence against women has increased, through all its types and on various levels, at home, society, workplace and public places. It is increased in the world and the Middle East, especially with the absence of laws or the application of laws which protect woman and preserve her dignity.

The MECC Executive Committee’s Meeting Will Be Held in Lebanon

On 28 and 29 November 2022

Discussing the Most important ME Issues and Christian Role in the Region

Youth Will Present Their Opinions and Expectations to the Church Leaders

In preparation for the 50-Year Jubilee of the Middle East Council of Churches, and aiming to strengthen its Ecumenical message in the region, the MECC Executive Committee will hold its periodic meeting on Monday 28 and Tuesday 29 November 2022 at Saydet El Bir Monastery in Bkennaya, Lebanon. The meeting’s agenda will include urgent issues related to the people and Christians of the Middle East, their challenges and expectations, amidst severe crises hitting the region.

tum issued by the Communication and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches, the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs congratulates His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, on the 10th Anniversary of his Enthronement. As for the weekly message of Dr. Abs, it is entitled “Treating women: a race between progress and backwardness”, in which he talked about violence against women on the occasion of the international day dedicated for the elimination of this violence, celebrated on 25 November.

You can also find 2 reports about the field visit held by a delegation from MECC and “Kerk in Actie” organization in the Netherlands to the projects implemented by both sides in Syria within the “Restoration Fund for Rehabilitation of Faith-based Social Services & Religious Infrastructure Damaged During the Crisis in Syria” program.

The United Nations has designated November 25 as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

As for the current year, it is "as in previous years, this year's International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women inaugurates 16 days of activity that must conclude on December 10, the day that commemorates International Human Rights Day" and that According to the website for combating violence against women (*).

As reported by the website itself, this campaign, "led by the UN Secretary-General and UN Women since 2008," aims to "prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls around the world." It also urges "global action to raise awareness and strengthen advocacy towards that goal and provide opportunities to discuss challenges and solutions."

MECC Participating in the Signing Ceremony

Under the patronage of His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rai, Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and all the East, the Bible Society Board of Directors hosted the book launching and signing of its General Secretary/ CEO, Dr. Mike Bassous, entitled "Leadership… in Crisis: A global perspective on building resilience, stamina, agility, and confrontation". The ceremony was held on Friday 18 November 2022, at the campus of Notre Dame University (NDU) in Lebanon.

Attendees were the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches Dr. Michel Abs, the Director of the MECC Theological and Ecumenical Department Father Dr. Antoine Al Ahmar, alongside Bishops, Priests and Pastors, representatives of many Church families and guests from various fields.

The Theological and Ecumenical Department at the Middle East Council of Churches organized a series of consultation sessions with the youth in the Middle East, representing their Churches, in Iraq - Baghdad, Syria - Damascus, Egypt - Cairo, Jordan - Amman, and Palestine - Ramallah. The sessions aimed to talk about the issue of youth presence and role in the region, in addition to discuss their concerns and expectations. Photos are available in the video.

Business Rehabilitation with the Service and Relief – Diakonia Department

The Beirut Port Blast was a fatal blow to the Lebanese, who lost everything they owned, especially in the Beirut regions. Owners of businesses lost their dreams and also faced the disaster’s huge repercussions in their shops and businesses which were destroyed. The Middle East Council of Churches, sought through the Service and Relief – Diakonia Department, Beirut’s Office, to restore hope to their lives and joy to their hearts, by implementing the Business Rehabilitation program.

Under the title "Recovering from the Blast", the video presents a brief overview about the program’s results and its impact on the beneficiaries, as well as some testimonies confirming that hope is back again.

The Service and Relief - Diakonia Department, Beirut’s Office, Supports Lebanon’s Women

She is the source of life. She is the wife, mother, sister, and friend. She is the woman who always struggle in her life and make daily efforts for the happiness of her family and the comfort of everyone around her. She is also the one who, unfortunately, is exposed to many and many insults, racism, hate speech, and even she is the one who faces all kinds of violence, cultural isolation, and loneliness... All these factors are negatively affecting her life putting her in the most vulnerable categories. But does anyone hear her pain?

In fact, many women today suffer from mental health problems, as they are in dire need of psychosocial support to help them overcome the pressures which may surround them daily. Hence, the role of religious and humanitarian organizations is important to accompany and support women in order to sorrow hope in their hearts.

Video - A Congratulations Message from the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs

On the occasion of the 10th Anniversary of the Enthronement of His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches Dr. Michel Abs congratulates His Holiness via video in Arabic, praising his endless love and kindness.

Here the Voice of Hope Rises Against War and Destruction

Whoever visits Aleppo and walks in its streets can notice the wars’ repercussions in this city, and can even hear its groaning and pain. But amidst all the destruction, we can witness the determination of Aleppo’s people to restore their city and lives as it was before the war. In fact, they are seeking God’s help, believing in His power and support to rebuild what was destroyed by the Evil’s hands and war.

The Middle East Council of Churches and “Kerk in Actie” organization in the Netherlands supported the Syrians and Aleppo’s people within the “Restoration Fund for Rehabilitation of Faith-based Social Services & Religious Infrastructure Damaged During the Crisis in Syria”. A program which aims to restore what was damaged by the war so that hope can revive in the lives of people who are essential part of their Church.

In the new issue of the weekly newsletter Momentum issued by the Communication and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches, you can find a news about the funeral service of His Beatitude Archbishop Chrysostomos II of Nea Justiniana and All Cyprus, in which MECC participated and was represented by its Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs. As for the weekly message of Dr. Abs, it is entitled “Corruption: the silent killer of culture and society” in which he denounced the corruption in Lebanon and many societies in the Arab world, speaking about its danger and the concepts of combating it.

Faith Leaders and Organizations, Including MECC, Sign a Joint Statement at the End of COP27 Climate Change Summit in Sharm El Sheikh

A call for Urgent and Ambitious Action for the Most Vulnerable People and Communities

Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt

Faith leaders from around the world at COP27 have watched with concern as the negotiations have stalled and not pushed for more ambition to prevent the drastic consequences predicted if global temperature rise goes past 1.5C, to support the most vulnerable communities and nations facing the brunt of climate change’s impacts today, and to ensure that human rights, a gender lens, and indigenous people’s knowledge are enshrined in the structures and work of the UNFCCC and its parties as they confront the climate emergency.

Faith leaders have issued on November 17, 2022, an urgent call for increased ambition in the final days of COP27.

The press and social media share with us articles and appeals to combat and eliminate corruption for the good of society and the well being of people. Writers or authors of tweets and statements deal with the phenomenon of corruption as if it is a fruit that has ripened and it is time to pick it, and it is ready for whoever reaches out to crush it.

They have missed the thorough sociological knowledge and analysis of social phenomena, and they have forgotten that when people become accustomed to something, its removal is not accomplished by a decree or an order issued by governing bodies to executive bodies. If this were the case, we would have considered that society is a machine, and it is enough to change the worn-out part in it, so that it can return to work in an appropriate manner.

Corruption in Lebanon, and in many of our societies in the Arab world, has become a culture deeply rooted in the mentality at the individual level as well as at the collective level. Consequently, it is neither possible nor reasonable to eradicate it from day to day, especially as it is rooted in our minds and souls for centuries.

Together Building Bridges and Restoring Hope

The Middle East Council of Churches held its annual meeting with representatives of its partner organizations and institutions, in addition to a series of activities it implemented with them, between 2 and 5 November 2022. The video presents the point of views and aspirations of some of the MECC partners participating in the meeting. It is prepared and produced by the MECC Communication and Public Relations Department.