The Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East held its second regular meeting on the 18th and 19th of October 2019, hosted by the Great Coptic Catholic Patriarchal Seminary in Maadi, Cairo.

Within the framework of its WASH program, MECC rehabilitated 24 shops in Aleppo and Dara’a governorates,

MECC Policies and Communication Advisor Ziad El Sayegh interviewed in the Catholic Bishop's conference of England & Wales about the situation of the Christians in the Middle East.

The General Secretary of the Middle East Council of Churches issued the following statement:
In the meantime when Lebanon is inflamed by the pain and the sorrow of his people, we pray for the Lebanese human dignity and the stability of its society. We also pray that God will inspire the leaders, and the people to serve the common good.

The Middle East Council of Churches, represented by Ms. Karineh Sahakian, participated in the 39th Annual Meeting of the International Committee for the Fellowship of the Least Coin – ICFLC at the Center for the Evangelical Presbyterian Women Center in Abokopi -Accra, Ghana from 12th to 18th of October, 2019.

The training targeted 46 women; 21 women in Altal learned the basics of crocheting and making hand-crocheted accessories, while 25 women in Izra’a city learned the basics of crocheting and making handbags and baskets in different colors and sizes.

MECC launched a waste management campaign in Dara’a Al Balad and Ma’araba cities in Dara’a Governorate within it Cash for Work Program.

A call for peace in the scarred East region

The Middle East Council of Churches followed with deep sorrow and pain the martyrdom and wounding of hundreds of Iraqis last week, and is currently following with greater pain the Turkish attacks on northeastern Syria, which would potentially have serious repercussions on its territorial integrity, and thus exacerbate the humanitarian situation of refugees and displaced persons.

A delegation from the United States Presbyterian Evangelical Church- PCUSA, national leadership, visited the headquarters of the Middle East Council of Churches in Beirut and met with a number of directors of departments and programs in the Council.

Christians of the Middle East are not minorities and don’t need protections

The MECC, represented by its Secretary General Dr. Souraya Bechealany, participated in the Warsaw Dialogue for Democracy which was held in Bologna on October 3, 2019, under the motto 'Freedom of Religion or Belief as a Pillar of Democracy”.

40 women from Aleppo and Dara’a governorates participated in a “Health Awareness Raising and Psychological Support” Training that was organized by MECC aiming at raising health awareness to as many persons as possible.

Report reveals the Extent of the Disaster

On the occasion of the World Day of Migrants and Refugees (29th of September)

As a result of armed struggles and conflict, the beginning of the 21st century was branded as an era of forced migration. Millions of people were forced to leave their homes and belongings, in an attempt to escape the violence and merely rekindle hope for a brighter future. This led to unforeseen socioeconomic ramifications and pressures on host communities; a point which in no ways whatsoever should be blamed on those forced to displace.

The MECC Diakonia Department concluded workshops on social cohesion for 30 Lebanese and Syrian students, at a ceremony held in the MECC Center in Tripoli on Tuesday, September 17, 2019.

The MECC, represented by Secretary General Associate Michael Spiro, participated in the 33rd international meeting entitled "Peace with No Borders", convening in Madrid- Spain, from September 15 to 17, 2019.

The MECC team organized two summer schools for 400 primary school students affected by the Syrian crisis in Daraa al-Balad and Khirbet Ghazaleh of Daraa governorate.

“This is not an ordinary conference. One hundred years have elapsed since the Paris Peace Conference (1919), and yet we are in the midst of international crises that are not unlikely to lead to war-style conflicts. It is useful to recall the facts and decisions of the Paris Peace Conference (1919), which did not last more than twenty years before the outbreak of the Second World War (1939)”

The Synodality is the basis of the ecumenical path, “Kairos ME Towards Churches Global Compact” project have my blessing and support

His Holiness Pope Francis received in his office at the Vatican City the MECC Secretary General Dr. Souraya Bechealany, at head of a delegation that included the MECC director of theological and Ecumenical Department Rev. Fr Gaby Hachem, the National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Lebanon Rev. Fr. Rouphael Zougheib and the MECC Policies and Communication Advisor Ziad El Sayegh.

The MECC Presidents Meeting, called for by the Secretary General Dr. Souraya Bechealany was held at the Patriarchal Monastery of Saint Elias Shwayya on the 29th of August 2019, graciously received by his Beatitude Patriarch John X.

Under the slogan “I am making everything new,” the Middle East Council of churches launched on Tuesday, August 28, its website with a new look that reflects the ecumenical mission of the Council, which is based on unity in diversity and partnership in the service of human dignity and openness to the other.

The MECC Theological and Ecumenical Department (TED) organized a spiritual meeting for the Council’s team in Syria on Friday, August 2, 2019. Father Gabi Hachem, the director of the TED, and Mr. Samer Laham the director of the Diakonia Department participated in this meeting which was entitled “Tabitha, Arise”.