The Secretary General Professor Michel Abs and an MECC Delegation Meet His Holiness Pope Francis Following His General Audience on Wednesday 8 March 2023

Within the activities of an international conference held in Rome and in which the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) participated, the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs and a delegation from the Council, met His Holiness Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square in the Vatican in Rome, after the General Audience His Holiness gave, on Wednesday 8 March 2023.

During the meeting, the Secretary General Professor Abs and the MECC delegation saluted His Holiness Pope Francis and expressed their appreciation for His Holiness and their intention to ask for an appointment in order to visit His Holiness at a later time.

The MECC delegation included His Eminence Bishop Munib Younan, MECC Honorary President, Dr. Hiba Sharobeem, a Member of the Egyptian Parliament and a University Professor, Professor Laure Abi Khalil, the Coordinator of the “Dialogue, Human Dignity and Social Cohesion” program at MECC, and a University Professor, and Eng. Fadi Nasr, an Expert in social cohesion training.

The Middle East Council of Churches' media is in continuous daily coverage of the passing away of His Holiness Pope Francis and the most prominent letters of condolence.

Follow a daily series of reports, news, videos, and exclusive articles, programs and interviews, about the life and faith of the Supreme Pontiff, on the Middle East Council of Churches’ platform.

With the Presence of the Secretary General Professor Michel Abs

On Saturday, April 19, 2025, and on the occasion of Holy Saturday, the Chaldean Eparchy of Beirut held a Holy Mass for the repose of the soul of the Late Dr. Michel Joseph Maamary, husband of the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, in the presence of the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, as well as relatives, friends, and journalists.

The Prayer was presided over by His Eminence Bishop Michel Kassarji, the Head of the Chaldean Community in Lebanon, assisted by Monsignor Raphael Traboulsi, the Episcopal Vicar General, Father Antoine Ghanem, the Antonian Monk, and the Deacons: Dani Cheba, Nawwar Ramo, and Nabil Riad.

Bishop Kassargi delivered a speech that highlighted the significance of the occasion and praised the virtues of the Late Dr. Michel. The service was also attended by Professor Michel Abs, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Journalists, cultural and humanitarian workers, as well as the Widow of the Deceased, his two children, and other family members.

Following the Liturgy, the family received condolences in the Eparchy's salon.

Christ Is Risen… He is Risen Indeed!

It is the Easter Monday, the Feast that marks the transition from death to life, from darkness to Divine Light. It is the joy of the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, who redeemed us through His death.

This year, Easter Monday is not the same as ever year for the Church and the whole world.

On this blessed day, His Holiness Pope Francis passed away and is now in the hands of the Heavenly Father, at the age of 88, entering the Kingdom of the Lord during the greatest of Feasts and the holiest of seasons.

The Pope of mercy and humility witnessed this year the 1700th anniversary of the Nicene Council and the common Feast of the Resurrection, offering his final greeting to all the faithful, departing to rejoice with the angels, proclaiming Christ's victory over death.

The journey of the Supreme Pontiff was a sign of hope amidst all the Ecclesiastical, social, health, and security challenges. He always prayed and called for dialogue, love, peace, and fraternity, carrying the burden of the poor, the marginalized, and the needy, defending their rights and preserving their dignity.

Professor Michel Abs

Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

Tell me, O Joseph of Arimathea, what happened on that eternal night, the night when time stood still, when the Incarnate was crucified, when He gave up His life and was buried, so that He might rise on the third day.

Tell me, how much fervent Christian faith did you hold in the depths of your soul to dare ask for the body of Jesus from those complicit in His crucifixion?
What divine boldness moved you? What unshakable faith drove you to risk everything?
What courage, backed by deep faith, made you unconcerned with the dangers surrounding you?
What faith did you carry in your soul? What conviction lived in your mind? What great love filled your heart?

O righteous believer, who risked everything your status and your name simply to preserve the dignity of that divine Body, the Temple of the Incarnation.
You, who refused to see the Lord buried like a criminal and instead honored Him as befits God.

O humble one, respected among your people, who feared no one,
Tell me how you lowered the sacred body from the Cross,
Tell me how you pried out the thick nails from the Savior’s flesh, those nails driven by hardened hearts…

"Poetic Whispers, From the Olive Grove to the Grave"

Poetry and Recitation by Father Dr. Rawad Al Chkour

Following Up on Work Updates with Great Hope

The General Secretariat of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) continues its weekly meetings, with colleagues uniting in work, Prayer, and reflection in an Ecumenical and fraternal spirit, praying for peace and justice in the region and the world. Today, the team is living the Holy Week with humility and hope in preparation for the joy of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

In this context, the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs, held the latest weekly meeting on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at the Council’s headquarters in Beirut, with the presence of the General Secretariat team from various departments and the online participation of colleagues from Syria, Palestine, Egypt, and Canada.

At the beginning of the meeting, Professor Michel Abs, delivered, on behalf of the MECC family, a word of consolation, sympathy, and support to the colleague Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, the Media Officer, the Coordinator of the Church and Media Relations, and the Director of the Platform of the Word at MECC, who lost her life partner. He prayed that the Lord, through His Resurrection, would grant her strength and determination in this new chapter of her life.

With the increasing of daily pressures, not all families have the required knowledge to parent their children on topics related to health. This is especially the case among disadvantaged refugees who have very little knowledge about such topics, especially when it comes to young girls. For this reason, the Diakonia and Social Service Department, Lebanon’s Office, at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) launched a health awareness session for 8 young girls to cover topics related to puberty. 

This session was designed to educate and support young girls as they navigate the physical and emotional changes of adolescence. In a safe and respectful environment, and accompanied by a health specialist, participants learned about body development, menstrual hygiene, and emotional well-being, helping them better understand and manage this important stage of life. The session encouraged open dialogue, promoted self-care, and empowered girls with the knowledge and confidence to make healthy choices.

A Journey of Repentance and Prayer from the Darkness of Sin to the Joy of the Resurrection

Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

Here comes the Great Week or the Passion Week, and our East is still wounded and suffering, waiting for a resurrection that will save it from its sorrows. The people of the region are preparing for the Feast of Feasts and the Season of Seasons, eagerly awaiting the joy of the Resurrection with hearts full of faith and hope. They have nothing but this hope in the Lord Jesus, from Whom they draw all their strength and determination amidst the challenges that surround them.

However, no challenges are invincible before the power of Prayers, through which the faithful walk in a journey of Lent and reflection, culminating in one of the Holiest Christian Seasons: The Great Week. How Great this week is, carrying in its Liturgy Prayers and traditions that guide the faithful from the sea of sins to the harbor of salvation, from the darkness of days to the joy of the Resurrection.

The celebrations of the "Great and Holy Week" or "Passion Week" embody the most significant salvific events through which the Lord of all creation redeemed us by His death and Resurrection. It is a week that strengthens the faithful and urges them to examine themselves, deepen their repentance, and enhance their faith in preparation for Christ’s Resurrection.