Emphasis on the Need to Strengthen Media Cooperation

Father Dr. Rifat Bader, General Director of the Catholic Center for Studies and Media in Jordan, Publisher of “Abouna” Website, and Representative of the Executive Committee of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) for Media Affairs, visited the Council’s headquarters in Beirut on Wednesday, August 19, 2026. He was received by the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs, and the General Secretariat team, in the presence of the Journalist Rafi Sayegh, from “Abouna” Website.

The visit took place as part of Father Bader’s participation in a seminar organized by MECC entitled “Ecumenical Media: Mission and Ethics,” where he delivered a lecture addressing the subject of Ecumenical media and the importance of its role today in serving the Church and society.

From the “Ecumenism of Blood” to the “Ecumenism of the Word”

A Lecture By Father Dr. Rifat Bader

Father Dr. Rifat Bader, General Director of the Catholic Center for Studies and Media in Jordan, Publisher of “Abouna” Website, and Representative of the Executive Committee of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) for Media Affairs, delivered this lecture in Arabic at a webinar organized by MECC, entitled “Ecumenical Media: Mission and Ethics”, on Thursday, August 19, 2026.

At the MECC Webinar About “Ecumenical Media: Mission and Ethics”

Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, Coordinator of Media and Church Relations at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), delivered this word in Arabic at a webinar organized by MECC, entitled “Ecumenical Media: Mission and Ethics”, on Thursday, August 19, 2026.

A Webinar Organized by MECC

Secretary General Prof. Michel Abs: “Media reflects the splendor of Christianity by showcasing its culture and its diverse dimensions”

Fr. Dr. Rifat Bader: “we have a responsibility to translate this witness into an Ecumenism of the word: media that brings people together rather than divides them, heals rather than wounds, and builds rather than destroys”

Journalist Lea Adel Maamary: “Ecumenical media serve as a bridge for dialogue, a space for encounter, a tool for strengthening a culture of unity”

As part of the series of seminars launched by the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), a new seminar entitled “Ecumenical Media: Mission and Ethics” was held, with Father Dr. Rifat Bader, General Director of the Catholic Center for Studies and Media in Jordan, Publisher of “Abouna” Website, and Representative of the MECC Executive Committee for Media Affairs. It was moderated by the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, Coordinator of Media and Church Relations at MECC.

The seminar was held on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, in the presence of the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs. It was attended in person at MECC headquarters in Beirut by Mrs. Seta Hadeshian, MECC Associate Secretary General, Professor Laure Abi Khalil, Coordinator of the Dialogue, Social Cohesion, and Human Dignity Rehabilitation Programs at MECC, Journalist Rafi Sayegh, and the MECC media team.

Online attendees were Father Dr. Nicolas Bustros, MECC Associate Secretary General, colleagues from the MECC team, as well as a Journalists and Experts from the Egyptian Council of Churches, “Abouna” Website, and many media outlets across the region.

His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Orthodox Church of the Holy See of Cilicia, received Professor Michel Abs, Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches, at his summer residence in Bikfaya.

It is worth noting that His Holiness is President of the World Council of Churches and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches. He is also a scholar in the field of ecumenism and has authored numerous publications on the subject.

This visit comes at a particularly critical time for the region, requiring an assessment of current developments and a renewed vision for the future of ecumenical work in the region.

The discussions addressed the general situation in the Middle East and the need for greater interaction among its various components in order to secure a better future for its peoples. Particular emphasis was placed on the essential role and influence of Christians within the broader regional landscape, which is characterized by intense dynamism and profound transformations.

Professor Michel Abs

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

The tragedy of organizations is manifested in corruption, deception, forgery, distortion of facts, pressure, circumvention of established regulations and procedures, and hypocrisy.

The organization, or the institution, is the backbone of modern society. It is an organized entity whose purpose is to serve the public interest through clear rules and transparent procedures. But when organizations are afflicted by corruption, deception, and falsification of facts, they are transformed from instruments of development into burdens on society because of the waste generated by corruption. This affliction is not a passing individual error; rather, it is a systemic deviation that strikes at three fundamental pillars: integrity, efficiency, and trust.

First: Manifestations of Organizational Dysfunction

1. Administrative and financial corruption:
This is the exploitation of public office for private gain. It includes bribery, favoritism, and the embezzlement of public funds. According to the “principal-agent” model in management, corruption occurs when the interests of the employee, the “agent,” conflict with those of the public, the “principal,” in the absence of effective oversight mechanisms.

2. Deception and falsification of facts:
This takes the form of manipulating data, falsifying reports, and embellishing fictitious achievements. This type of corruption is even more dangerous because it attacks the “organizational memory.” When decisions are based on false information, all subsequent policies become flawed.

3. Circumventing regulations and exerting illegitimate pressure:
This means bypassing laws and regulations under the pretext of “necessity” or “exceptional circumstances.” It is often accompanied by organizational hypocrisy: a double discourse whereby an organization publicly proclaims its commitment to certain values while secretly practicing the opposite…

On the occasion of the 255th anniversary of the construction of the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary at the Patriarchal Monastery of Our Lady of Bzommar, a Church exhibition entitled “Testimony of the Spiritual Heritage” was inaugurated during a ceremony held on the evening of August 12, 2026. The exhibition presents a selection of artifacts from the Monastery’s museum, offering visitors a glimpse into the spiritual, artistic, and historical richness preserved by this landmark across generations.

Highlights on the Webinar About "Ecumenical Media: Mission and Ethics", Organized by MECC

Via the SAT7 TV Channel

A team from Danmission visited Diakonia and Social Service Department office of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), in Damascus, on the 10th of August. The visit included an introductory session during which MECC team presented an overview of the projects they implemented in Damascus, Rural Damascus, as well as in Dara’a Governorate, in addition to programs and projects carried out in cooperation between the two organizations.

The MECC team also provided an overview of the mechanisms and channels used to communicate transparently with beneficiaries, including the work of the Complaints and Response Mechanism (CARM), as well as Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) mechanisms that accompany all stages of program implementation.

MECC and Danmission team also discussed the importance of the partnership between them in supporting the most vulnerable groups and contributing to meeting their basic needs.

مرصد فلسطين – تقرير الاثنين 17 آب/ أغسطس 2026

In light of the worsening humanitarian and social conditions in the region due to the escalation of security operations, the Middle East Council of Churches presents a weekly report entitled "Palestine Observatory," which includes the latest developments in Palestine, especially amid the deteriorating living, social, and security conditions in the country. Some texts will be in Arabic, and some others in English, depending on the source.

في ظلّ تفاقم الظروف الإنسانيّة والاجتماعيّة في المنطقة جرّاء تصاعد العمليّات الأمنيّة فيها، يقدّم مجلس كنائس الشرق الأوسط تقريرًا أسبوعيًّا بعنوان "مرصد فلسطين" حيث يتضمّن آخر المستجدّات الّتي تشهدها فلسطين خصوصًا وسط تدهور الظروف المعيشيّة والاجتماعيّة والأمنيّة في البلاد. ستكون بعض النصوص باللغة العربية، وبعضها الآخر باللّغة الإنكليزيّة، وذلك حسب المصدر.

Entitled "Faith is Action, Conversations on Palestine"

Organized By “Orthodox Christian for Palestine"

You can join the webinar via the following link: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/zwIpJ1LdT-22pTUHLrDDVg#/registration

Are Pleased to Invite You to the Ecumenical Prayer Service

Celebrating the Season of Creation 2026

Guide of the Season of Creation 2026 Celebration in Arabic and English: https://www.mecc.org/mecc/2026/6/23/the-middle-east-council-of-churches-issues-the-season-of-creation-2026-guide-in-arabic.

Global Webinar on the Occasion of the Ecumenical International Youth Day 2026

A Gathering Affirming the Importance of Youth in the Present and Future of the Ecumenical Movement

On the occasion of the Ecumenical International Youth Day 2026, a global online Ecumenical webinar was held under the title “Healing Spaces”, organized by the World Council of Churches (WCC), in partnership with ACT Alliance, Oikoumene Pasifika, and the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC).

The webinar took place on Thursday, August 13, 2026, under the theme “Restore – Empower – Strengthen – Thrive.” It brought together youth from around the world, alongside representatives of many regional and international Ecumenical organizations and bodies. Among the participants were Ms. Maria Bzdigian, Project Coordinator in the MECC Theological and Ecumenical Department, and Elia Nasrallah, Communication and Media Officer in the MECC Communication and Public Relations Department.

Choir of the Patriarchal Monastery of Our Lady of Balamand

Choir of the Patriarchal Monastery of Our Lady of Balamand

Entitled "Faith is Action, Conversations on Palestine"

Organized By “Orthodox Christian for Palestine"

You can join the webinar via the following link: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/zwIpJ1LdT-22pTUHLrDDVg#/registration