Video - A Congratulations Message from the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs

On the occasion of the 10th Anniversary of the Enthronement of His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches Dr. Michel Abs congratulates His Holiness via video in Arabic, praising his endless love and kindness.

Here the Voice of Hope Rises Against War and Destruction

Whoever visits Aleppo and walks in its streets can notice the wars’ repercussions in this city, and can even hear its groaning and pain. But amidst all the destruction, we can witness the determination of Aleppo’s people to restore their city and lives as it was before the war. In fact, they are seeking God’s help, believing in His power and support to rebuild what was destroyed by the Evil’s hands and war.

The Middle East Council of Churches and “Kerk in Actie” organization in the Netherlands supported the Syrians and Aleppo’s people within the “Restoration Fund for Rehabilitation of Faith-based Social Services & Religious Infrastructure Damaged During the Crisis in Syria”. A program which aims to restore what was damaged by the war so that hope can revive in the lives of people who are essential part of their Church.

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 a news about the funeral service of His Beatitude Archbishop Chrysostomos II of Nea Justiniana and All Cyprus, in which MECC participated and was represented by its Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs. As for the weekly message of Dr. Abs, it is entitled “Corruption: the silent killer of culture and society” in which he denounced the corruption in Lebanon and many societies in the Arab world, speaking about its danger and the concepts of combating it.

Faith Leaders and Organizations, Including MECC, Sign a Joint Statement at the End of COP27 Climate Change Summit in Sharm El Sheikh

A call for Urgent and Ambitious Action for the Most Vulnerable People and Communities

Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt

Faith leaders from around the world at COP27 have watched with concern as the negotiations have stalled and not pushed for more ambition to prevent the drastic consequences predicted if global temperature rise goes past 1.5C, to support the most vulnerable communities and nations facing the brunt of climate change’s impacts today, and to ensure that human rights, a gender lens, and indigenous people’s knowledge are enshrined in the structures and work of the UNFCCC and its parties as they confront the climate emergency.

Faith leaders have issued on November 17, 2022, an urgent call for increased ambition in the final days of COP27.

La prensa y los medios de comunicación social comparten con nosotros artículos y llamamientos para combatir y eliminar la corrupción por el bien de la sociedad y el bienestar de las personas. Los escritores o autores de tuits y declaraciones tratan el fenómeno de la corrupción como si fuera una fruta que ha madurado y es el momento de recogerla, y está lista para que quien la alcance la aplaste.

Han echado de menos el profundo conocimiento sociológico y el análisis de los fenómenos sociales, y han olvidado que cuando la gente se acostumbra a algo, su eliminación no se logra mediante un decreto o una orden emitida por los órganos de gobierno a los órganos ejecutivos. Si así fuera, habríamos considerado que la sociedad es una máquina, y basta con cambiar la pieza desgastada en ella, para que vuelva a funcionar de forma adecuada.

La corrupción en el Líbano, y en muchas de nuestras sociedades en el mundo árabe, se ha convertido en una cultura profundamente arraigada en la mentalidad tanto a nivel individual como a nivel colectivo. En consecuencia, no es posible ni razonable erradicarla de un día para otro, sobre todo porque está arraigada en nuestras mentes y almas desde hace siglos.

Nuestros niños, que son uno de los principales pilares de nuestra sociedad, nacen en este mundo con la esperanza de cosechar sus frutos. Desgraciadamente, los tiempos actuales no son tan reconfortantes y los niños quedan desamparados y necesitados.

Por suerte, el Departamento de Servicio y Ayuda - Diakonia, de la Oficina de Beirut, del Consejo de Iglesias del Oriente Medio sigue organizando una serie de sesiones psicosociales continuas con el objetivo de promover el bienestar y la resiliencia de los niños. Se les involucraría a través de una serie de actividades recreativas que les ayudarían a lidiar con los desafíos emocionales, sociales y prácticos.

«Las mujeres son la mitad de la sociedad». Muchos países del mundo se esfuerzan por integrar a las mujeres en todos los sectores productivos y económicos. Sin embargo, las recientes condiciones de seguridad, políticas y sanitarias, así como el estallido de la pandemia de coronavirus, han afectado negativamente a sus vidas, especialmente en el Oriente Medio, que se hunde en una crisis cada vez mayor.

En el Reino Hachemita de Jordania, por ejemplo, el Departamento de Estadística mencionó que la tasa de desempleo femenino ha aumentado hasta el 31.5% en el primer trimestre del año en curso en comparación con el año pasado. Otro informe del país publicado en 2021 muestra que la participación económica de las mujeres ha disminuido en un 3.3%, después de haber registrado la tasa más alta del 17.3% en 2017.

Por lo tanto, el Consejo de Iglesias del Oriente Medio está trabajando para mejorar el papel de la mujer en las sociedades a través de varios programas que implementa en muchos países de la región.

The press and social media share with us articles and appeals to combat and eliminate corruption for the good of society and the well being of people. Writers or authors of tweets and statements deal with the phenomenon of corruption as if it is a fruit that has ripened and it is time to pick it, and it is ready for whoever reaches out to crush it.

They have missed the thorough sociological knowledge and analysis of social phenomena, and they have forgotten that when people become accustomed to something, its removal is not accomplished by a decree or an order issued by governing bodies to executive bodies. If this were the case, we would have considered that society is a machine, and it is enough to change the worn-out part in it, so that it can return to work in an appropriate manner.

Corruption in Lebanon, and in many of our societies in the Arab world, has become a culture deeply rooted in the mentality at the individual level as well as at the collective level. Consequently, it is neither possible nor reasonable to eradicate it from day to day, especially as it is rooted in our minds and souls for centuries.

Together Building Bridges and Restoring Hope

The Middle East Council of Churches held its annual meeting with representatives of its partner organizations and institutions, in addition to a series of activities it implemented with them, between 2 and 5 November 2022. The video presents the point of views and aspirations of some of the MECC partners participating in the meeting. It is prepared and produced by the MECC Communication and Public Relations Department.

Our children, who are one of the main pillars of our society, are born into this world, hoping to reap its rewards. Unfortunately, present times are not that comforting and children are being left forsaken and in need.

Luckily, the Service and Relief – Diakonia Department, Beirut’s Office, at the Middle East Council of Churches is still organizing a series of ongoing Psychosocial sessions aiming to promote the well-being and resilience of children. They would be engage through a series of recreational activities that would help them deal with emotional, social, and practical challenges.

MECC Meets with Its International and Regional Partners

The Middle East Council of Churches met with its international and regional partners as part of a series of activities and meetings in Lebanon between 2 and 5 November 2022. What did the meetings include? And what did the attendees discuss? The video presents a brief overview of these meetings, activities, and the most important discussed topics. It is prepared and produced by the MECC Communication and Public Relations Department.