Christmas Message 2021 from the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs

In the dome of heaven, a star shone, announcing to us the Advent of the one coming in the name of the Father.

From the heights of heights, the star came, telling us that the Awaited One had arrived, and that humanity was on the threshold of an era in no way like the one that had preceded it.

Heaven could not be silent when the Incarnation took place, so it spoke through the star.

The star was the herald of the Incarnation just as the Cross was the herald of victory over the forces of darkness.

Report: 21 December 2021

Despite the great strides ME governments have made in combating corona, the latest omicron variant is spreading in countries that it has infiltrated.

Beirut, 13-15 December 2021

Invited by the World Council of Churches and the Middle East Council of Churches, 40 representatives of religious authorities and leaders of various Iraqi religions, congregations, and ethnic groups, came together in Beirut to follow up on recommendations of the 2017 conference held in Beirut under the title "Interfaith Consultation of Social Cohesion in Iraq", and to discuss emerging challenges and future prospects for social cohesion in Iraq.

With the aim of restoring livestock- hens breeding which was depleted during war in Syria, and in order to help rural families improve their income; the team of the Service and Relief Department- Diakonia at the Middle East Council of Churches, Syria office distributed 30 laying to each of 180 families in Um El Mayathen town in Dara’a Governorate. Some families included female-headed households and others persons with disabilities.

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.