53 Lebanese, regional, and international rights groups and individuals, as well as 62 survivors and families of the victims and firefighters, sent a joint letter to the UN asking the organization to launch its own impartial investigation. The reason behind this move is the slow and obscure investigation that has been finding no answers whatsoever. Instead, months of political red tape, obstruction, evasion, and delay, have suffocated the investigation; there is no imagine the forces at work to hide what really happened on August 4.

Report: 1 to 11 June 2021

With the severe decrease in COVID-19 cases in almost every country, international donors and investors are re-organizing their efforts towards the development of this region. However, some countries are relying more than others on aid, depending on the type of political system in place. For instance, Egypt has taken advantage of inward investment to launch massive projects. Meanwhile, others such as Lebanon and Syria are struggling under economic sanctions imposed on key decision makers not in line with western policies.

Visita a Su Beatitud el Patriarca Youssef Al-Absi en Rabwe

La delegación de la Secretaría General del Consejo de Iglesias del Oriente Medio sigue visitando a los jefes de las Iglesias del Líbano. El equipo visitó a Su Beatitud Youssef Al-Absi, Patriarca de la Iglesia greco-católica melquita de Antioquía, Alejandría y Jerusalén, en la sede del Patriarcado en Rabweh, Líbano.

El Secretario General del MECC, Dr. Michel Abs, encabezó la delegación que incluía al Secretario General Asociado, Padre Dr. Nicolas Bustros, al abogado Ibrahim Traboulsi, miembro del Comité Ejecutivo y a los miembros del equipo de la Secretaría General.

Visiting His Beatitude Patriarch Youssef Al-Absi in Rabweh

The General Secretariat delegation of the Middle East Council of Churches continues visiting heads of Churches in Lebanon. The team visited His Beatitude Youssef Al-Absi, Patriarch of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church of Antioch, Alexandria and Jerusalem, at the Patriarchate headquarters in Rabweh, Lebanon. MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs headed the delegation that included the Associate General Secretary Father Dr. Nicolas Bustros, Lawyer Ibrahim Traboulsi, member of the Executive Committee and members of the General Secretariat team.

“Let the children come to me and do not prevent them, because for such is the kingdom of God” (Luke 18:16)

El sábado 12 de junio se celebra el «Día Internacional contra el Trabajo Infantil», y las Naciones Unidas han designado 2021 como el año de la eliminación definitiva del trabajo infantil. Cabe señalar que, a pesar de la disminución de esta forma de esclavitud en un 38% durante la última década, las cifras indican que 152 millones de niños siguen trabajando sin que la ley lo permita.

El trabajo infantil es una crisis histórica, que comenzó con la revolución industrial en Occidente mostrando formas tan temibles como fraudulentas.

El medio ambiente se desangra, ¿alguien lo oye sufrir?

Alabado sea, Señor, nuestra hermana y madre tierra...

No es nuevo para la Iglesia dar un paso hacia el medio ambiente, la creación de Dios, para protegerlo o preservarlo. A lo largo de la historia, la Iglesia ha abordado muchas cuestiones relacionadas con el medio ambiente y la Tierra, y todavía hoy las sitúa en el centro de sus prioridades.

El medio ambiente nos necesita a los humanos y viceversa, y preservarlo es una de las cuestiones más urgentes, especialmente en medio del agravamiento de las crisis que lo afectan negativamente. El medio ambiente necesita un cuidado constante, necesita la intervención humana para ayudarle a crecer en la esencia con la que Dios lo creó.

A lo largo de 10 meses, muchas especulaciones sobre la causa de la explosión se han difundido en las noticias y en los medios de comunicación. Sin embargo, hasta este momento, estas especulaciones siguen sin estar respaldadas por pruebas concretas. Meses de trámites burocráticos e injerencias políticas han paralizado la investigación, lo que ha enfurecido aún más a las familias de las víctimas, a los libaneses en general y a la comunidad internacional.

The new issue of “Momentum”, the weekly newsletter issued by the Communication and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches, includes a video message from the Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs for the occasion of the World Environment Day, and the MECC statement following the Amman Incident. It also Includes several articles, exclusive interviews, MECC Departments’ news, various Ecumenical reports.

Saturday, the 12 of June, is the International Day Against Child Labor, and the United Nations has designated 2021 as the year of permanently eliminating child labor. It is worth noting that despite the decrease in this form of enslavement by 38% during the past decade, the figures indicate that 152 million children are still working unsanctioned by the law.

Child labor is a historical crisis, which began with the industrial revolution in the West showing frightening as well as fraudulent forms.

The Environment Is Bleeding, Does Anyone Hear It Suffering?

Praise, my Lord, Our Sister and Mother Earth...

It is not new for the Church to take a step towards the environment, God’s creation, to protect or preserve it. Throughout history, the Church addressed many issues related to the environment and Earth, still placing them today at the center of its priorities.

The environment needs us humans and vice versa, and preserving it is one of the most urgent issues, especially amid the aggravation of crises negatively affecting it. The environment is in dire need of consistent care, it needs human intervention to help it grow in the essence God created.

Report: 7 June 2021

In light of the success of the vaccinations plans executed and the arrival of more variants of vaccines, the ME continues to score less infections while slowly untangling the economy.