“Momentum”

7-11-2025

This issue includes reports, videos, news, articles, and a full coverage of the latest developments of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), as well as the Church, Ecumenical, and social events…

This is in addition to the weekly word of the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs which is entitled in this issue “Between Education and Dignity: A Society in Crisis”. It i the word that he delivered at the seminar organized by MECC under the title "Education in Lebanon and Human Dignity", on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at the MECC headquarters in Beirut.

You can check the issue via the following link:
https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?u=1db32cafe9ea32b38eb90480a&id=c288b4ac90.

You can also subscribe to the Momentum Newsletter via the following link:

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An Episode Within the "Community Knowledge" Series

"Nostra Aetate"

His Beatitude Patriarch Mar Ignatius Joseph III Younan: The Call to Imitate Jesus

St. Joseph Al-Mansour Church - Iraq

November 1, 2025

A Seminar on Education in Lebanon and Human Dignity Emphasizes the Need to Guarantee Equal Opportunities for All

The Secretary General Professor Michel Abs: "Between education and dignity, a society in crisis"

As part of raising awareness about many current social and educational issues, and their relation with human dignity, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) organized a seminar entitled "Education in Lebanon and Human Dignity" on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at the MECC headquarters in Beirut. It was attended by specialists and researchers from various fields.

The seminar, which was broadcasted live on the MECC Facebook page (Part 1 - Part 2), began with a welcoming word by Professor Laure Abi Khalil, Coordinator of the "Dialogue, Social Cohesion and Preservation of Human Dignity" projects at MECC, in which she said: "Protecting education in Lebanon is not a financial issue… it is a matter of values. It is a societal battle that no one can fight alone."

She continued, "I present to you three fundamental messages from which we need to proceed: First, education is the cornerstone of human dignity and an inalienable right. Second, the school is not a service company… but a national project for building a cohesive society. Third, the teacher is the focal point – and education will not flourish without the teacher's advancement…"

Then, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, delivered a speech entitled "Between Education and Dignity: A Society in Crisis," in which he pointed out that today "there is a race between the forces that want to make education a mean of equal opportunities for all segments of society, and consequently a mean of human dignity, and the forces that are indifferent to this issue."

He added, "If science and education, followed by vocational specialization, do not provide equal opportunities for Lebanese citizens to learn and build their future, and consequently, if education does not become a mean of social mobility, then it is certainly not a mean of ensuring human dignity."

Discussions About Strengthening the MECC Work in Jordan

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs met with His Eminence Archbishop Christoforos Atallah, the Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Jordan, and President of the Council of Heads of Churches in Jordan, in the presence of Archdeacon Sylvester Awad and Economos Semaan Khoury, on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, in Beirut.

During the meeting, the attendees discussed the latest developments in the work of the Middle East Council of Churches, focusing on its activities in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and its most prominent current initiatives. They also explored ways of coordination and cooperation to implement future projects in Jordan in order to achieve the desired Ecumenical and humanitarian goals.

On the other hand, both sides discussed the importance of the Epiphany celebration that will be held next year in Jordan, in addition to the possibility of to the attendance and participation of an MECC delegation in this celebration.

During his visit to the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, held many meetings and sessions. As part of his program, he met with Mr. Samir Morcos, a Researcher, Former Minister, and Former MECC Associate Secretary General, in the presence of Reverend Refaat Fikry, the MECC Associate Secretary General.

The meeting included a discussion about the current issues and most prominent social, humanitarian, and cultural matters in the region. The attendees also discussed developments in the work of the Middle East Council of Churches and updates of its programs which it implements on various Theological, Ecumenical, humanitarian, and media levels.

The participants also agreed to continue their communication, coordination, and cooperation.

The MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs Participates in the Service

In the Presence of the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs

His Eminence Metropolitan Nicolas Antonio, Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of Tanta and its Dependencies, and Patriarchal Commissioner for Arab Affairs, presided over the Divine Liturgy on Friday, October 31, 2025, at the Archangels Church in Al-Zaher, Egypt. He was assisted by the Parish Priest Father Youssef Darous. The Service was attended by the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, and believers.

In his word, His Eminence Metropolitan Nicolas Antonio welcomed Professor Michel Abs, who then delivered a word about the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) and His Eminence's role within the Council over the past many decades. Professor Abs thanked him for his service in the MECC Executive Committee and emphasized his continued presence as a friend and an integral part of the MECC work.

Emphasis on the Need to Uphold Human Rights and Promote Dialogue

As part of his visit to the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, met with Mrs. Gunilla Ikponmwosa, Coordinator of the Middle East and Human Rights Advisor at the Uniting Church in Sweden, in the presence of the MECC Associate Secretary General Reverend Refaat Fikry, and the Social Activist Mrs. Mariam Fikry, at the offices of the Synod of the Nile, where a training course on human rights was being held.

The meeting provided a valuable opportunity to discuss key human rights issues and ways to face racial discrimination. Participants emphasized the importance of dialogue and building bridges between different components of the society, as well as the necessity of spreading the values of love, fraternity, and respect.

His Grace Bishop Ermia, General Bishop and Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center, received the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, on Friday, October 31, 2025, in Cairo.

The meeting focused on various social issues of concern to the people of the region, particularly in light of the difficult circumstances it is passing through. They also discussed many topics related to dialogue, human values, and ways to strengthen the bonds of love and fraternity among all components of the society.

An Episode Within the "Community Knowledge" Series

As part of the activities of the Sixth World Conference of the Faith and Order Commission at the World Council of Churches (WCC), which was held at the Papal Logos Center in Wadi El Natrun - Egypt

As part of the activities of the Sixth World Conference of the Faith and Order Commission at the World Council of Churches (WCC), which was held at the Papal Logos Center in Wadi El Natrun - Egypt

As part of the activities of the Sixth World Conference of the Faith and Order Commission at the World Council of Churches (WCC), which was held at the Papal Logos Center in Wadi El Natrun - Egypt