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 the news of the new sessions of the Interfaith Consultation on Iraqi Social Cohesion that were organized by the World Council of Churches in cooperation with the Middle East Council of Churches from 13 to 15 December 2021 in Beirut. As for the weekly message of the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, it was entitled “Societal integration, dialogue and progress – Towards a common vision for Iraq”. It was the speech that he delivered at the opening of the sessions’ first day.

Las sociedades multiétnicas, multirreligiosas y multiconfesionales pasan a menudo por crisis de integración que a veces pueden ser fatales.

Todos sabemos hasta qué punto la identidad es esencial para definir al hombre –el individuo– o al hombre –el grupo– y hasta qué punto influye en el destino del individuo y del grupo. En muchos casos, nos encontramos con que una persona está dispuesta a sacrificar su vida y sus bienes para proteger y preservar esta identidad. Esto equivale a su presencia.

Su Santidad, Sus Eminencias,

Queridas hermanas y hermanos,

Me alegra y me honra estar con ustedes esta mañana y compartir estos momentos de reflexión, intercambio y comunión. En primer lugar, quisiera darles la bienvenida a todos y agradecerles que hayan respondido positivamente a la invitación del Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI o WCC: World Council of Churches) y del MECC.

Con la organización del CMI (WCC) y del MECC

Representantes de los componentes sociales y religiosos debatieron sobre las formas de promover la fraternidad y la ciudadanía con vistas a un Irak mejor

Como seguimiento de la consulta que se inició en Beirut en 2017, bajo el título de «Consulta interconfesional sobre la cohesión social en Irak», el Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI o WCC: World Council of Churches) organizó, en cooperación con el Consejo de Iglesias del Oriente Medio (MECC), nuevas sesiones del 13 al 15 de diciembre de 2021 en Beirut. La consulta se celebró en presencia del Secretario General en funciones del CMI, el Rev. Prof. Dr. Ioan Sauca, y del Secretario General del MECC, el Dr. Michel Abs.

Multiethnic, multireligious and multiconfessional societies go often through crises of integration that can sometimes be fatal.

We all know how basic identity is essential in defining man - the individual or man - the group and how much it has an influence on the fate of the individual and the group. In many cases, we find that a person is ready to sacrifice his life and possessions in order to protect and preserve this identity. It equates to his presence.

Your Holiness, Your Eminences,

Dear sisters and brothers,

I am glad and honoured to be with you this morning and share these moments of reflection, exchange and fellowship. I would like first to welcome you all and to thank you for having responded positively to WCC's and MECC's invitation.

Faith is part of the inner identity of a human being. It touches the whole of the human life. It refers to one’s faith in God bur also defines one’s way of life: relationships with others and the whole world.

Report: 1 to 15 December 2021

With all except Lebanon, countries in the region have been recording positive developments that aim to improve the socioeconomic welfare of its ordinary citizens. As for the small Phoenician country, it is still mired with rampant corruption and governed with unaccountable politicians. Regardless, the area as a whole is improving due to great geopolitical shifts in the world and local efforts to transform economies on more sustainable ones.

With the Organization of WCC and MECC

Representatives of the Societal and Religious Components Discussed Ways to Promote Fraternity and Citizenship Aiming for a Better Iraq

As a follow-up to the consultation that started in Beirut in 2017, under the title of “Interfaith Consultation on Social Cohesion in Iraq”, the World Council of Churches (WCC) organized in cooperation with the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) new sessions from 13 to 15 December 2021 in Beirut. The consultation was held in the presence of the WCC Acting General Secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca and the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs. As for the attendees, 40 representatives of different Churches, religions, organizations, official bodies and components of society in Iraq participated.

Report: 16 December 2021

As international vaccine diplomacy gains momentum, Middle East countries continue to prepare for the new omicron variant by restricting travel, announcing lockdowns, and closing airports.

Una reunión ecuménica en Beirut

El Secretario General del Consejo de Iglesias del Oriente Medio, el Dr. Michel Abs, recibió al Secretario General en funciones del Consejo Mundial de Iglesias, Rev. Dr. Ioan Sauca, en la sede de la Secretaría General del MECC en Beirut, el martes 14 de diciembre de 2021. El Presidente de la Unión Nacional Evangélica en el Líbano y Presidente del Consejo para la Familia Evangélica S.E. Dr. Habib Badr, además del equipo de la Secretaría General en Beirut, también recibió a Sauca.

Miedo, ansiedad, desesperación, pobreza severa, futuro incierto (...) todas estas expresiones describen las circunstancias del Líbano actual. Los refugiados, al igual que los libaneses, están pasando por unas condiciones de vida duras y deterioradas. De hecho, los refugiados salieron de sus países en busca de una vida mejor y más segura, pero hoy se enfrentan a muchas dificultades a diversos niveles económicos, sociales y sanitarios (...).

El Consejo de Iglesias del Oriente Medio impartió un curso de «Cuidador a domicilio» en Damasco, Siria, en cooperación con el IECD - Instituto Europeo de Cooperación y Desarrollo.

El curso duró 32 días en la sede del IECD e incluyó la formación práctica de 19 alumnos en «Dar Al Saada», que es una residencia de ancianos, en Damasco.

Fear, anxiety, despair, severe poverty, uncertain future... all these expressions describe the circumstances in Lebanon today. Refugees, as Lebanese, are all passing through hard and deteriorating living conditions. In fact, refugees left their countries in search of a better and safer life, but today they are facing many difficulties at various economic, social and health levels...

Since its establishment, the Middle East Council of Churches is keen to help the refugees, taking care of them and preserving their dignity.

An Ecumenical Meeting in Beirut

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches Dr. Michel Abs welcomed the Acting General Secretary of the World Council of Churches Rev Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca, at the headquarters of the MECC General Secretariat in Beirut on Tuesday December 14, 2021. The President of the National Evangelical Union in Lebanon and President of the Council for the Evangelical Family HE Rev. Dr. Habib Badr, besides the General Secretariat team in Beirut, also received Sauca.

The Middle East Council of Churches conducted “Home Caretaker” course in Damascus, Syria, in cooperation with IECD - European Institute for Cooperation and Development.

The course lasted for 32 days at the IECD headquarters and included practical training for 19 trainees in “Dar Al Saada”, which is an elderly care home, in Damascus.

A las dos de la noche de ayer, mientras la hermana Claire se disponía a entrar en la iglesia de San Elías del monasterio de San Elías al-Ras, en Kesrouan, su carne cayó al suelo mientras su alma se liberaba, abrazando al Redentor.

En el umbral de la iglesia terrenal, cayó la monja enfermera que durante décadas curó las heridas de Cristo en cada paciente del hospital en el que trabajaba, y no necesitó que nadie le vendara las heridas ni le diera una última gota de agua.