When discussing the relationship between religion and authority throughout history, the first thing that comes to mind is the saying of the incarnate Master: "It is written: My house shall be called a house of prayer, and you have made it a den of thieves."

How does this house of prayer metaphorically transform into a den of thieves in certain places and times? By what enchanting magic does religion shift from being a means of salvation to serving the interests of ruling groups, distracting people from their vital concerns?

Religion is not the only reality that was objectivized by human beings; however, it is the most easily accessible tool for mobilizing people quickly, without holding the user accountable. Yet, as soon as the forces of the unseen and the dimensions of the beyond come into play, accountability becomes a magical word that underlies institutions, democracy, and progress.

The challenge at hand is to prevent religion from deviating from its essential path under the pressure of political and economic interests that have historically formed alliances. The only solution is immunization!

With the aim of enhancing cooperation and joint work, Mr. Massoud Hafnaoui, President and Co-Founder of “Attalaki” organization in Tunisia, and Ms. Roua Tlili, Assistant Program Coordinator at the organization, visited the offices of the Middle East Council of Churches’ General Secretariat in Beirut, on Thursday 11 May 2023. They were received by the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs.

Video – The MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs Talks About Christian unity and the MECC Mission on Télé Lumière and Noursat

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches Dr. Michel Abs was the guest of the journalist George Rashed, in an episode entitled “One Holy Universal Church” within the program “Between Yesterday and Today”, broadcasted on Télé Lumière and Noursat, on Sunday 7 May 2023.

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches Dr. Michel Abs mourns His Eminence Bishop Anba Kyrillos William, Honorary Bishop of the Coptic Catholic Diocese of Assiut, and member of the Middle East Council of Churches’ Executive Committee, in a letter of condolence he addressed it to His Beatitude Patriarch Anba Ibrahim Isaac, Coptic Catholic Patriarch of Alexandria, and Head of the Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Egypt.

In the new issue of the weekly newsletter Momentum issued by the Middle East Council of Churches, Communication and Public Relations Department, you can find the weekly message of the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, which title is “Between the chair of Mark and the chair of Peter, A promise of love for humanity”. Dr. Abs talked about the meeting of His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, with His Holiness Pope Francis, in the Vatican, on Wednesday 10 May 2023. The visit aims to celebrate together the 50 years since the return of relations between the Coptic Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church, after 15 centuries after the Council of Chalcedon in 451, and also to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the declaration of the Day of Brotherly Love called for by His Holiness Pope Tawadros II during his visit to the Vatican in 2013.

A promise of love for humanity

The visit of His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, to His Holiness Pope Francis, Head of the Catholic Church, bears many meanings and promises.

It comes on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the visit of the Late, Pope Shenouda III, to the Vatican, and between the two visits there was sustained communication, strengthened relations, and love rooted within the one faith, within the redemptive time, and in one Holy, Apostolic Church on which the gates of Hell will not prevail as The Master told us.

This visit means, first of all, that there is no turning back in the relations between churches, between institutions and people with each other, but rather a deepening of partnership and a relentless march towards unity that must be achieved no matter how long it takes.

Towards Strengthening the Partnership Between Both Sides

Within the framework of strengthening the partnership between Church of Sweden which is a member in ACT Alliance, and the Middle East Council of Churches, a delegation from the Church visited the offices of the MECC General Secretariat in Beirut, on Monday 8 May 2023. The delegation included Mrs. Anna Levine, Church of Sweden Programs Manager for the Middle East Unit, Mrs. Jessica Lendbergdik, Regional Representative of ACT Church of Sweden on the Development Programs for the Middle East and North Africa, and Mrs. Rania Salameh, Regional Representative of ACT Church of Sweden on the Humanitarian Programs for the Middle East and North Africa.

Awareness Sessions for Pregnant and Lactating Women about Infant and Young Child Feeding

Breastfeeding is an important source of nutrition for infants to obtain essential nutrients for growth in the first months of life. Breast milk is considered the first vaccine for infants, protecting them from many common childhood diseases, as it contains antibodies that help protect infants against many common childhood illnesses and strengthen their immune systems.

WHO recommends that infants initiate breastfeeding within the first hours of birth and be exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of life – meaning no other foods or liquids are provided, including water, as it enhances sensory and cognitive development.  

Report: April 2023

Despite the global economic crisis and the years of proxy wars in Syria, two formally competing major players in the area are pursuing dialogue and mutual cooperation. As such, Saudi Arabia and Iran’s coming together is leading to positive implications such as the re-induction of Syria into the Arab World.  With this massive shift in policy from both of their ends, the region is moving towards greater economic cooperation and harmony.