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General
Introduction
The 9th General Assembly culminated the programmatic year of the Middle
East Council of Churches. The Assembly was held in Paphos – Cyprus (26 –
30 November) under the theme “So we are ambassadors for Christ, God
making his appeal through us” (2 Cor. 5:20) and gathered many Heads
of Churches, delegates of MECC member churches, guests and staff. The
Assembly re-elected Mr. Guirgis Saleh as General Secretary for a second
term and elected four Presidents:
His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy
Apostolic Armenian Orthodox Church of Cilicia (representing the Oriental
Orthodox family of Churches),
His Beatitude Theophilos III, Patriarch of Jerusalem & the
Holy Land (representing the Orthodox family of Churches),
His Eminence Archbishop Boulos Matar, Archbishop of the
Maronite Church in Beirut (representing the Catholic family of
Churches),
Rev. Dr. Safwat el-Bayadi, President of the Evangelical
Synod of Nile (representing the Evangelical family of Churches).
The Assembly nominated also the twenty-four Executive Committee members
who will meet for the first time, during the first week of March 2008.
The Assembly reviewed the work of MECC and its activities during the
last quadrennial, discussed in length the MECC restructuring, and set
its work priorities for the next four years.
The Assembly convened at a time when churches were facing a variety of
challenges resulting from the overall political turbulences in the
Middle East region. In Iraq, the daily explosions continue to
kill hundreds of innocent people. The Iraqis, who were forced to flee
their country, face humiliation and sufferings in the neighboring
countries. In Lebanon, the political disputes and the
disagreements between the different political parties have resulted into
a Presidential vacuum. The lack of
security and the economic recession increased lead to poverty rates and
a growing emigration wave. Lately, in Gaza the Israeli siege on
the Palestinians has resulted in the
starvation of a whole population due to severe shortage of food,
electricity and gasoline, and ultimately extreme poverty amongst the
people. Many regional and international actors have contributed to this
state of instability, driven by their own political interests. The
international community has remained silent while human rights
violations, occupations, wars, human siege, blood shed, suffering and
violence continue. In the midst of this turmoil, the Churches reaffirmed
their vows to maintain the presence of Christians in the region, to
continue their ministry and witness to the people of the region. They
reiterated their commitment to interfaith dialogue as the sole means to
overcome violence, extremism and to achieve peace with justice.
During the last quadrennial, the MECC has issued several statements in
response to different political
situations in the region and called for reconciliation, solidarity and
peace with justice. Some churches in Iraq were targeted with bombs,
clergymen were assassinated, and civilians were killed indiscrimination.
Despite all that, the MECC and its member
churches continued to advocate for non-violence and to expose the human
suffering regardless of religious affiliation.
During the last
year, the MECC continued its Christian witness as the only ecumenical
organization of the fellowship of churches in the Middle East. It
responded to the emergency relief situation to Iraqis in their countries
of displacement (Syria, Jordan and Lebanon as well as inside Iraq,
through several appeals for aid. Emergency relief in Lebanon through the
Inter-Church Network for Development & Rehabilitation (ICNDR) targeted
the Palestinian population in the Nahr el-Bared Camp. The Department on
Service to Palestinian Refugees (DSPR) continued its efforts to support
Palestinians in their homeland as well as in countries of refuge
(Lebanon and Jordan)
In addition, the
MECC sustained its ecumenical activities through its different Units,
departments and programs of Units on Faith & Unity, on Education &
Renewal, on Life & Service, the Justice, Peace & Human Rights and
Christian-Muslim Dialogue Programs, the Communication Department, the
International Ecumenical Relations, and International Visitors program.
The Council’s new structure, which was discussed thoroughly at the
Assembly, will be revised and approved in the upcoming Executive
Committee meeting (March 2008), in order to respond efficiently to the
real needs of the churches and the ecumenical movement.
In conclusion, the
MECC is needed more than ever as an ecumenical forum that responds to
the needs of the churches, supports the presence of the Christian
communities and builds bridges between the Middle East region and the
churches and ecumenical partners in the west.
MECC ACTIVITIES
The following is a
summary of the activities and achievements of the MECC from January to
December 2007.
I- General
Secretariat
The MECC General
Secretariat has overseen all the programs and activities of the MECC in
the different countries of the region. The General Secretary continued
his regular meetings and consultations with the Presidents of the
Council, and Heads of Churches in the region on the work of the Council.
He attended several regional and international conferences and meetings,
established connections with churches in the West, and maintained unique
relationships with Muslim religious leaders and government officials in
the different countries of the region. The General Secretary resided in
Beirut – Lebanon, but often traveled to different countries to oversee
the work and follow up on activities that are directly related to the
General Secretariat. The General Secretary has followed up on MECC
reports, as well as regional and world churches’ news, communicating
with partners on issues related to the MECC work.
The General
Secretary had many significant meetings and conferences, which he either
attended or presented a paper in it. One of his tasks is to prepare for
the Executive Committee meetings, call for it, and present a report. The
General Secretary also welcomed many church delegations from the West.
The General Secretariat issued several statements on different
occasions.
The following are
the records of the activities which the General Secretary carried-out
through 2007:
GS-1)
MECC General Secretary Attended Annual WCC & REO General Secretaries’
Meeting in
Geneva.
The Regional
Ecumenical Organizations’ meeting held from January 22-23, 2007 at the
Ecumenical Center in Geneva, brought together General Secretaries of
both Regional and National Councils of Churches worldwide, to discuss
ways and means of strengthening their relations and of facing challenges
with the WCC, within the framework of the new structure adopted by the
Porto Allegre WCC General Assembly. MECC General Secretary, Mr. Guirgis
Saleh who attended the meeting, contributed with a report on the current
situation in the Middle East; the challenges faced by the MECC; issues
of concern and interest; MECC position, activities and visibility in the
region; its relations with other ecumenical organizations and place in
the ecumenical movement.
GS-2) MECC
Partners Visit the Region
A three-member NCA
staff delegation visited Lebanon from February 15 to 19, before
proceeding to Egypt and Amman. NCA colleagues visited the MECC offices
where they met with the General Secretary and senior staff before
proceeding to the South of Lebanon to follow up on NCA/ACT emergency
projects there.
GS-3) MECC
Executive Committee Met in Cairo, Egypt
The MECC Executive
Committee met on March 1&2, 2007 in Mar Morcos Conference Center, Cairo,
hosted by H.H. Pope Shenouda III. On the agenda: the approval of
previous meeting minutes; MECC General Secretary's report of activities;
financial report, the forthcoming MECC 9th General Assembly;
a proposed plan for future MECC structure and programs; a proposal for a
new structure of ICNDR program in Lebanon; the situation in the region
in general and in Iraq, Lebanon and Palestine in particular.
GS-4)
MECC
Ad-hoc Committee Works on MECC Future Structure for Upcoming 9th
General Assembly
The ad-hoc committee of 4
appointed by the Executive Committee meeting held on
March 12-13, to review and amend the proposed draft structure
based on the comments and suggestions of the Executive Committee
meeting. The MECC General Secretary and Associates attended the meeting.
The
meeting came out with an amended organizational chart that was submitted
to the MECC Presidents for approval before its circulation to all member
churches, in preparation for the 9th General Assembly.
GS-5) General Secretary Attended the Meeting of the
Heads of the
Oriental Orthodox Churches in Syria (April 19 -21, 2007)
GS-6) MECC
General Secretary Addressed the Heads of Catholic Churches in Egypt
The MECC General
Secretary addressed the Heads of Catholic churches in their annual
meeting in Egypt on 18 April. In his paper, the GS talked about the
history and the work of the MECC in the region. He focused on the role
of MECC in bringing churches into theological dialogue and cooperation
on common issues. He also suggested some principles for the continuation
of the ecumenical work such as: listening to the opinion of other,
differentiating between theological expressions and theological
differences between churches, ecumenism is openness rather than
compromises, and finally educating the new generation on unity of
churches. The GS concluded his intervention with some steps to overcome
the difficulties of dialogue between churches.
GS-7)
General Secretary Met with the Higher Imam of Azhar
Aiming at sustaining
the Christian – Muslim dialogue and empowering the relationships of MECC
with Muslim leadership in the Middle East, the general Secretary visited
on May14th the Higher Imam of Azhar Mosque (HE Sheikh Dr
Muhamad Said Tantawi). The meeting tackled the preparations for the
third joint conference of MECC & the Higher International Islamic Forum
(HIIF), as well as the visit of the ecumenical church leaders of
Germany to Egypt and Lebanon. It is worth mentioning that the Higher
Imam of Azhar is the President of the (HIIF).
GS-8) MECC
General Secretary Inaugurated an Exhibition of Icons
On its 17th
year memorial of its establishment and on the occasion of the Month of
the Lady in the Catholic churches, the “Tele Lumiere – Nour Sat”
satellite TV organized on 21st of May an exhibition of the
Icons of the Lady under the name “This is Your Mother”. The MECC General
Secretary inaugurated the exhibition and congratulated the leaders of
the “Tele Lumiere” by saying that the “Tele Lumiere is an important
Christian Arabic TV channel which proclaims the message of love, peace
and justice to all people in the Middle East and abroad. It enforces the
Christian presence in the ME and the coexistence”. Other speakers on
this occasion stressed the importance of such world icons exhibition in
proclaiming the Good News.
GS-9)
MECC Presidents Met at
Anba Ruweis – Cairo
At the invitation of
H.H Pope Shenouda III, Presidents of MECC and SCAF committee met at the
Papal Residency in Anba Ruweis – Cairo (21 June). MECC General Secretary
reported on the latest development and action taken by the Council
including the preparations for the Assembly, the partners’ meeting, the
latest relief appeal for the Palestinians in Lebanon and other related
issues. Pope Shenouda thanked the GS on his endeavors in maintaining the
role of MECC in the region.
GS-10)
General Secretary addressed the WCC in its International Peace
Conference in the Middle East
Representatives of
Christian churches and church related organizations all over the world
met in Amman - Jordan (17-21 June 2007) at the call of the World
Council of Churches to launch the “Palestine Israel Ecumenical Forum”.
The conference convened to mark the 40th years of Israel occupation to
Palestine.
The General
Secretary addressed the conference at the opening session by confirming
the stands of MECC of “supporting the calls of the Heads of Churches
in Palestine for peace and justice, defending the right of Palestinians
of self-determination, and the right of refugees return”. The
General Secretary expressed the MECC “deep concern about the
situation of Christians in the Holy Land and urges the world to
contribute effectively towards the implementation of UN resolutions
which may bring peace to the Middle East region.
GS-11)
MECC General
Secretary Visited the Archbishop of Cyprus
On 1st of
June, the MECC General Secretary visited H.B Archbishop Chrystophoros
II, Head of the Church of Cyprus and extended an invitation to His
Beatitude for the MECC
9thGeneral
Assembly that took place in
Cyprus,
November 2007. His Beatitude welcomed the Assembly and gave support in
providing all possible facilities.
GS-12)
General
Secretary Participated at SAT 7 meeting
The MECC General
Secretary participated at the General board of SAT 7 Satellite Christian
TV channels that took place in Cyprus on June 1st. The GS is a member on
the Board of SAT 7. This Christian satellite TV channel is one among
other channels that broadcast ecumenical activities related to MECC.
GS-13) General
Secretary
Lectured on Ecumenical Relations
At the invitation of
H.E Bishop Mounir Hanna, Head of the Anglican Church in Jerusalem and
the Middle East, the MECC General Secretary lectured in Cairo (8 June)
on the “Ecumenical Relations between Churches in the Middle East”. He
referred to the theological dialogues between churches on both global
and regional levels.
GS-14) General
Secretary participated in the historical visit of the
Archbishop of Cyprus to
Egypt
GS-15)
General
Secretary addressed the 3rd European Ecumenical Assembly –
Romania
In Sibiu – Romania, the
European Ecumenical Assembly held its third Assembly (5 – 9 September),
under the theme: “The light of Christ Shines upon All. Hope for
Renewal & Unity in
Europe”.
The goal of the
Assembly was to celebrate and bear witness to the discipleship of Jesus
Christ, deepen the knowledge and appreciation of the diverse spiritual
traditions in Europe, and reinforce and broaden the European ecumenical
network. The MECC General Secretary Mr. Guirgis Saleh delivered two
messages during the Assembly in which he touched on the issues of peace
in the Middle East region, violence, security, dialogue and long-lasting
conflicts, Christian-Muslim dialogue as well as the ecumenical efforts
of MECC is advocating for peace and human rights. Speaking about
conflicts, Mr. Saleh challenged the Assembly by saying: “…the longer
the conflicts and insecurities ferment unaddressed, the greater the
sense of injustice and humiliation will prevail”. He reminded the
Assembly that: “dialogue should be based on common humanitarian
principles and mutual respect, and the goal of it is to preserve and
celebrate the differences as sources of strength and wealth”. He
added that: “we need in the Middle East to take steps in favor of
human rights and religious freedom”. The MECC took “a sharp
decision to spare a wider space for advocacy on human rights and
Christian presence”.
GS-16)
MECC
Statement on Muslim Ramadan Month of Fasting
The General Secretary
issued on 12th of September a statement in which he congratulated the
Islamic World on the month of Ramadan, the month of feast and blessings.
The statement stresses on the values of tolerance, love, spirituality,
charity and coexistence. The statement congratulated the Islamic and the
Arab World and hoped for “peace in the Middle East and in the world”.
Another statement was
issued after the fasting month of Ramadan in which he congratulated
Muslims all over the Islamic world on this feast, and stressed on the
importance of maintaining values of coexistence and tolerance as a good
example for the world to live.
GS-17)
General Secretary
lecturing at Kaslik University
The General
Secretary lectured at Kaslik University in Beirut on the history of the
Coptic Orthodox Church and its current activities under the leadership
of His Holiness Pope Shenouda III. The lecture that took place on the 16th
of November came at the invitation of the Dean of the University. A
meeting followed the lecture with the President of the University.
GS-18)
Message of Congratulations to Muslims
The MECC General
Secretary addressed the Muslim world with a congratulatory message on
the occasion of celebrating the Adha feast. It is the feast of
“sacrifice’ as the message said. The message hoped for peace in the
Middle East that can be manifested in having an independent Palestinian
State with its capital, Eastern Jerusalem, the withdrawal of all foreign
troops from Iraq, and the rise of a new Lebanon after electing a new
President.
GS-19) The General
Secretary was re-elected at the 9th General Assembly
The Assembly
re-elected Mr. Guirgis Ibrahim Saleh from the Coptic
Orthodox Church as a General Secretary for a second term.
GS-20) General
Secretary Paid Congratulatory Visits to the new Presidents of the
Council
GS-21) Christmas
Message from MECC General Secretary
“Do not be afraid;
for see - I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people…”
(Luke 2.10)
The MECC General
Secretary sent out a Christmas message in which he reflected on the Good
News that God has proclaimed to the world through the birth of His Son
Jesus Christ. The message wished peace to the Middle East and the world.
The following
Programs are directly under the General Secretariat supervision:
A- International Ecumenical Relations
(IER)
In 2007, the former
director of the International Ecumenical Relations left the Council on
retirement and a new director has resumed the office on the 1st of May
2007.
The IER focused its
efforts on the following activities:
·
Organizing
and facilitating the Annual Partners’ Meetings, and pursuing constant
communication and relation with partners.
·
Producing
the Annual MECC Narrative report to partners.
·
Producing
the Monthly Electronic (News Brief) on MECC activities.
·
Organizing
visitors’ programs and receiving delegations in the region.
·
Coordinating and communicating with partners regarding agreements and
projects.
·
Coordinating with the General Secretary and the MECC Units and
departments on projects and reports.
·
Participating in specific regional and international meetings.
The IER pursued its close collaboration with the MECC General Secretary,
what regards relations with the MECC partners, flow of information and
follow up on plan of action.
IER-1)
Annual Partners’ Meeting and Partners’ Relations:
Relations with
partners have been pursued through:
1) Annual
Partners’ Meeting:
The IER prepared and
organized the annual partners’ meeting in cooperation with the General
Secretariat office as well as with partners. The meeting took place in
Harissa – Lebanon (21- 24 May 2007).
The annual partner’s
meeting is prepared and agreed on by the MECC/Partners’ Core Group, to
set the final agenda of the upcoming partners’ meeting. The agenda
included an overview of the situation in the region, testimonies from
Executive Committee members on the work of the MECC, the General
Secretary’s report, the reports of the Units and Programs including the
financial and audit reports, the MECC restructuring process and the
ICNDR relations with MECC. The meeting was preceded by visits to and
meetings with Heads of Churches in Lebanon.
The next partners’
meeting was decided to take place in Lebanon (12 – 14 May 2008).
IER-2) MECC
Electronic Monthly Newsletter (NewsBrief) & Communication
The IER is producing
a monthly electronic newsletter in English under the name “MECC
NewsBrief”. It keeps partners, churches, regional ecumenical councils,
and individuals worldwide informed about MECC activities on monthly
basis. The “News Brief” spreads information about the situation in the
region and its impact on the people in general and on the churches, in
particular.
The “NewsBrief” is
electronically disseminated in the region and worldwide to over (600)
recipients.
IER-3) Relief
Appeals
The IER was involved in
writing and launching the ACT International appeals for aid to
Palestinians in Lebanon during the Nahr el-Bared camp events, and to
displaced Iraqis in Syria, Jordan and Lebanon.
IER-4) Visitor’s
Program & Coordination
The MECC/IER in
cooperation with the General Secretariat office and other Units and
Departments organized and facilitated the program of visits of
individual visitors, ecumenical groups and church delegations to the
Middle East region. During the reporting period, the IER facilitated the
visits of the following groups:
v
Conference
of European Churches (CEC) Delegation in Lebanon
v
Presbyterian Church (USA) Delegation in the Middle East
v
Women’s
Rights on Danish Church Aid (DCA) & MECC Meeting Agenda
v
MECC NCA
Partners Visit the Region
v
NCCCUSA
Women delegation visited the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
v
MECC Amman
office hosted the ACT CO regional meeting
v
Ecumenical German Delegation (Protestant and
Catholics) to Lebanon and
Egypt in June 2007
v
Delegation from the Church of Norway visited Syria
& Jordan in August 2007
v
Cardinal of Washington Visited Amman
v
Archbishop of Canterbury’s visit to Syria and
Lebanon in September 2007
v
Norwegian Church Aid visit to Syria in October 2007
v
A delegation from the Church of Sweden visited
Syria & Jordan
v
MECC office in Amman received a delegation from
PCUSA
v
A
delegation from the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) USA visited
Lebanon
v
Delegation from Presbyterian Church to Jordan
IER-5) MECC Internal
Coordination & Fund-Raising
The IER coordinated
with the different MECC Units and Departments on activities, reporting
and compiling projects. It also responded to MECC General Secretariat
projects for fund-raising and follow up on agreements with partners.
B- Justice,
Peace and Human Rights Program (JPHR)
To engage in issues of
human rights, dignity, justice and peace in the Middle East is not an
easy task. The MECC Justice, Peace & Human Rights, Program (JPHR) is
related to the General Secretariat office. It advocates for human rights
and dignity across the churches, church-related organizations,
universities, and theological institutes in the region, as it advocates
for respect: for religions, for the other, for the differences, for the
specificity of each society and for the international Human Rights
Charters.
In cooperation and
coordination with churches and church-related organizations, the Program
endeavors to build a culture of respect to differences between
religions. It values and supports churches in their advocacy role with
respect to human dignity. Through its different workshops and seminars,
the Program outreached clergy, lay people, women, children, youth and
marginalized groups. It also targeted judges, lawyers, labor unions,
thinkers, and educators.
The JPHR works
towards the development of the Council’s and churches’ role in raising
awareness on justice, peace and human rights issues and in working with
civil society representatives, to become active advocates of human
rights, from both religious and legal perspectives.
In 2007, the JPHR
continued implementing its activities in the different countries. Its
most important achievement was the agreement with the Council of
Catholic Patriarchs and
Bishops in the East
to establish a “Forum for Human Rights” in Lebanon. Details of such a
Forum will come later.
JPHR Activities &
Achievements
JPHR-1) Joint
MECC JPHR/ATIME Training of Trainers (ToT)
The Justice, Peace and
Human Rights Program (JPHR) and the Association of Theological
Institutes in the Middle East (ATIME) organized their second ToT session
from January 12-13, 2007, in Atchaneh-Lebanon on “Spreading a culture of
human rights” among students of theology. Around 50 trainees, students,
young theologians and priests from Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria
exchanged experiences and learned how to overcome challenges in their
respective countries. The seminar was enriched by the participants’
testimonies about their practical experiences. They shared information
on their churches’ position and discourse in defending human rights and
human dignity, and in working toward the observance of a culture of
rights. A series of workshops held during the training, focused on the
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as treated in the International
Covenant on Human Rights. Others focused on the issue of “Identity and
Citizenship” highlighting each individual’s potential in effecting
social change at the community level. Certificates were distributed at
the end of the workshop.
JPHR-2)
JPHR
Pursues Awareness Activities on Stereotyping and Conflict Prevention
The MECC/JPHR
program has been organizing series of awareness workshops at the
district level in Lebanon, for the year 2007.
Two 2-days workshops
took place successively on January 21-22 and 27-28, 2007. The first
workshop held within the premises of the Permanent Peace Movement,
brought together around 26 participants from different parts of Beirut,
Mount Lebanon and the South. Many of those participated in previous
sessions organized in other districts. These are now ready trained to
multiply the impact of the project by conducting themselves workshops at
the level of their respective communities. The second workshop took
place in the
Lebanese Evangelical Institute For Social Work and Development in Mount
Lebanon and was a follow up to the first, aiming at deepening knowledge
and techniques.
Church and NGO
representatives participated, offering their experiences and reviewing
their projects in light of new techniques in negotiation, mediation and
conflict management.
JPHR-3) MECC/JPHR held a Consultation
on: Action Oriented Strategies for Monitoring Advocacy
Between April 17 -
19, 2007 the Justice, Peace & Human Rights
(JPHR) program held a consultation at the Headquarters of the
Congregation of Maronite Lebanese Missionaries in Jounieh, aiming at
reviewing the development of the project “the Patterns
of the
Commitment of the Church and Religious Associations to Human Rights
Issues: Action oriented strategies for monitoring and advocacy”. Two
human rights activists contributed in helping to move the project
forward, focusing on the structure of the project, refined into two main
components:
1-
Spreading knowledge, raising awareness and advocacy
2-
Formation of children and youth through activities and training
sessions.
A
major recommendation issued by the meeting stressed on the need and
importance to form a steering committee composed of 5-7 persons, mainly
activists and specialized representatives of NGOs, to monitor the
implementation of the project. The role of this committee will include
the discussion of reports on the human rights’ situation in the region,
the
follow up on important events, and the discussion on ways and means to
provide the appropriate fund needed for the continuation of the project.
A
follow-up meeting was held on April 19, targeting ways of establishing a
website to provide and enable the Church and church-related
organizations with relevant information and links regarding the
implementation and violation of human rights in the Arab world.
JPHR-4) JPHR’s
Coordinator participated in Two Consultations on May 24
The JPHR coordinator
attended on 24/5/2007 two successive consultations organized by the
"Assemblée des Patriarchs Catholiques et des Eveques Catholiques au
Liban" at the main siege in Jounieh – Lebanon. Present were the active
NGO's that deal with development in Lebanon and those who are active in
lobbying for rights in the field of civil and political rights,
citizenship and belonging. The meeting aimed at shaping out a mechanism
of coordination between the different actors in the civil society in the
hope of providing a better result for the benefit of the person, the
community and the society in general. An affirmed recommendation has
been formulated aiming at follow up on regular basis, and to work on a
data base that help the members of the steering committees which were
formed at the founding meeting in April 2007. The role of the said
committees is to select and decide on the activities in order to avoid
duplication and complement the work between the different NGOs and to
know who is doing what in Lebanon in the targeted fields and what we can
do together for the best interest of society. Participants designed a
moderator to each committee and decided on a fixed date to meet once per
month.
JPHR-5)
A
Joint conference on “Non Muslims in Muslim Society” was held in
Limassol - Cyprus.
A
Joint
Conference between the department of the Inter-Religious Dialogue at the
Stockholm School of Theology, the department for Missiology at Uppsala
University, the Christian Study Centre in Rawalpindi, Pakistan and
MECC/JPHR
took
place from 19-23, August 2007 in Limassol, Cyprus. The JPHR program
hosted and set up the program of the conference; identified the topics
as well as the speakers and other participants in order to fulfill the
aim and expected results of the conference. MECC General Secretary
addressed the participants and presented a working paper.
JPHR-6)
MECC/JPHR and the Assembly of Catholic Patriarchs Discuss their
Cooperation: Patterns of the Commitment of the Church and Religious
Associations to Human Rights Issues
This activity was in
response to a recommendation by the Assembly of the Catholic Patriarchs
& Bishops of the Middle East in its fifteenth Conference, held in Amman
from
28/11-2/12/2005 calling
to set up a forum of thinkers in Lebanon as an introduction to setting
up a similar forum for the Arab World, provided that the coordination
will be the responsibility of the Middle East Council of Churches. The
purpose was to observe the issues related to justice and human rights in
the Arab countries. The recommendation also called for periodic reports
to the Heads of Churches and for the deployment of efforts with
concerned governments in support of justice and peace, thus pushing
forward the issue of human rights in the Middle East.
Several meetings were
held between the representative of the Catholic Patriarchs and the MECC
General Secretariat and JPHR program coordinator, to study the
possibility, as well as the ways and means, to finalize the proposed
project to monitor the justice, peace and human rights issues in the
region, and to issue and circulate
periodic reports
to be shared with the MECC ecumenical partners and the Arab churches.
As such, the program
seeks to equip Churches in the Arab region with data helping them to
advocate for issues in the region. This will be done with the
cooperation of likeminded institutions.
In this regard, the JPHR program started setting a mechanism of work to
monitor the implementation of justice and human rights in the region. It
also seeks to develop a forum for more formal discussions on human
rights and justice, and training in the Middle East.
The purpose of this
initiative is to issue reports, reflecting the human rights situation in
each country and focusing on burning issues that affect the situation of
justice and peace. These reports will be circulated to the different
partners and churches worldwide. An analysis will be followed and
different types of actions will be undertaken, including support and
advocacy with the help of partners, approaching local governments and
organizations.
Such Forum
could constitute
a model for similar initiatives in the Middle East region. Great
interest was expressed by the meeting for the proposal, which will be
studied for decision and implementation.
JPHR-7)
JPHR
Deepening the
Education on Human Rights, Conflict Resolution and Children’s Rights.
The JPHR program
succeeded to enroll four participants to benefit from courses on human
rights, conflict resolution and children’s rights in international
institutes and regional universities. These courses enable them to
deepen their knowledge and to receive diplomas. These participants will
be helping the program in designing its work at national Church and
community levels. Also they will take initiatives to spread and build
awareness among a wide range of people at the local level.
The guarantees and
protection of human rights in Arab states are inversely proportional to
the proximity of those rights to the political life of that country.
The more the exercise of those freedoms and rights is perceived to be
political, the less guaranteed and protected those rights are.
JPHR-8)
Spreading a Culture of Human Rights among Students of Theology, 11-13
January 2007, at St Jacob – Atchaneh/Lebanon.
This one-year project
was put by the JPHR and was addressed to around200 students in
theological institutes in the Middle East, in addition to a number of
young priests. The seminar was enriched by testimonies from the
participants about their practical experiences and their churches’ ways
in protecting human rights and human dignity, and in working toward the
observance of a culture of rights. A series of workshops were organized
during the seminar, focusing on the Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
as addressed in the International Covenant of Human Rights.
JPHR-9)
Conference on
Interfaith Peace Pilgrimage
The MECC/JPHR Program
Coordinator participated in a Conference for peace that took place in
Amman
from 4-14 November 2007. The
theme of the conference was:
"Interfaith
Peace Pilgrimage and Solidarity Mission to Palestine-Israel".
It started in Palestine and culminated in an international conference in
Amman on Justice for Palestine. The coordinator presented an
intervention on violence against women under occupation in the Middle
East with a special focus on Palestinian women. She also presented an
overview of women's rights situation in the region.
The organizer “Peace
for Life” (PFL) recognizes the centrality of the Middle East
question in its agenda to mobilize faith-based resistance to the USA
policy and its allies.
The
PFL launched a call to accelerate campaigns of boycotts, divestment and
sanctions (BDS), a course of action which many organisations, especially
in the North including religious institutions, have pursued vigorously
in their attempt to help isolate what is now widely regarded as
“Apartheid Israel”.
A statement was released immediately
after the Conference, made a pledge of commitment to deepen and
strengthen the solidarity of International partners -
representing different religion and belief coming from all over the
world - with the Palestinian people and their struggle for justice,
peace and life.
JPHR-10)
MECC-JPHR
Program Introduces a Monitor and Forum on Human Rights
The
JPHR Program organized a workshop that took place in Amman from the 17th
till 21 of November 2007 where representatives from the Churches in the
Middle East region and from the Church based organizations came together
to exchange their knowledge on monitoring human rights situation. A
series of workshops have been conducted as part of the training
sessions, lead by specialists from Jordan, Lebanon and Palestine. The
outcome of the workshops was echoed in a strong
recommendation that Churches’ need is to know of the abuses of human
rights that are taking place in the Middle East, and translate its
desire to practically shed the light on these abuses and hence interact
with its mission in protecting the divine dignity of the human beings.
C-
Christian-Muslim Dialogue
The
Christian-Muslim dialogue continues to occupy an important part of the
MECC General Secretariat activities. It is done out of the belief in the
importance of dialogue and cooperation with all people, sustain mutual
understanding and acceptance on common religious and social issues in
the Middle East, and build a culture of tolerance, reconciliation,
justice and peace. The Program focused its activities on three axes of
work on the level of:
a.
Christian and Muslim leadership and related prominent persons.
b.
Grass-roots with young people
c.
Humanitarian services.
By doing this, the
Council encourages and supports existing relations with Muslims as
partners in life and citizenship, land, destiny and future. The MECC has
succeeded in building bridges and establishing strong relations at
various levels of society.
Christian-Muslim Dialogue Activities & Achievements
The activities of
the Christian-Muslim Dialogue program have included awareness and skill
building workshops and seminars with Christian and Muslim youths,
encounters between religious leaders, participation in international
conferences, and advocacy activities. The program has coordinated its
activities with those of other Units and Departments targeting Christian
and Muslim community leaders, members, youth, and humanitarian service
organizations.
CMD-1) The Fifth
Doha Inter-Faith Conference
The MECC General
Secretary, HE Bishop Yohanna Kolta - MECC President from Egypt, HE
Archbishop George Saliba – Syrian Orthodox Church of Mount Lebanon and
MECC Executive Committee member; participated in the fifth Doha (Qatar)
Inter-Faith Conference which took place between 7–10 May, and under the
theme: “Spiritual Values & World Peace”. The conference aimed at
establishing a common platform of dialogue between the three
Monotheistic religions. The Conference focused on the challenges of
dialogue between religions, and the commonalities in spiritualities
between religions and its impact on peaceful coexistence. More than 150
religious and non-religious personalities participated in the
Conference. In his opening speech, Archbishop Saliba talked about the
religious values, which are reflected in the Human Rights charter, and
about the international peace, which can be achieved through the
implementation of the spiritual values that religions have given.
Archbishop Kolta stated that human beings are in need for each other and
conflicts between nations cannot be solved without joining hands
together. Among the important recommendations of the Conference were:
the encouragement of spreading the culture of understanding,
reconciliation and dialogue among the nations; and the establishment of
the International Centre for Inter-Faith Dialogue in Doha. Archbishop
Saliba was elected as a member of the International Consultation Council
for Inter-faith Dialogue.
CMD-2)
General Secretary met with the Higher Imam of Azhar
Aiming at sustaining
the Christian – Muslim dialogue and empowering the relationships of MECC
with Muslim leadership in the Middle East, the General Secretary visited
on May 14th the Higher Imam of Azhar Mosque (HE Sheikh Dr
Muhamad Said Tantawi). The meeting tackled the preparations for the
third joint conference of MECC and the Higher International Islamic
Forum (HIIF), as well as the visit of the ecumenical church leaders of
Germany to Egypt and Lebanon. It is worth mentioning that the Higher
Imam of Azhar is the President of the (HIIF).
CMD-3)
The General Secretary participated in the symposium held in the
Jordanian Center for Studies on Religious Coexistence, in the first
commemoration of the Amman message, and presented an intervention on
"The Council of Churches' message in spreading tolerance among all
people in this region".
CMD-4)
In coordination with the Communication Department, the Council and the
Civilization Center for Iranian-Arab Studies organized on January 2007 a
symposium on "Ambiguities in the road of Christian-Muslim dialogue".
CMD-5)
Annual Christian-Muslim Youth Seminar:
The seventh
Christian-Muslim youth seminar took place in Amman - Jordan on October
2007. The title was "Christian and Muslim young people between
religious commitment and the culture of our time". 40 young
Christian and Muslim participants from Palestine, Egypt, Syria, Lebanon,
and Jordan were present in the seminar. No doubt these meetings play an
important role in firmly establishing the dialogue that aims to build
awareness between Christian and Muslim young people. This activity was
carried-out in cooperation with the Unit on Education & Renewal.
CDM-6)
Inter-
Religious Youth Dialogue in the Heart of the Mediterranean
(Refer to the report
of the Unit on Education & Renewal ER-7)
CMD-7) Facilitation
of Western delegation meeting with Muslims in the region
The MECC facilitated
the meeting of Western delegations to the Middle East region with Muslim
leaders and institutions. The delegations were mainly the following:
v
Ecumenical German Delegation (Protestant and Catholics) to
Lebanon and
Egypt in June 2007
Under the theme of
“Challenges to the Christian Presence in a Changing World”, and at
the invitation of MECC, an ecumenical high rank German Church delegation
visited Lebanon and Egypt (23 – 28 June). The delegation was composed of
17 Catholic and Protestant Bishops, Pastors, and lay both men and women
representing the following churches and church related organizations:
EKD, EMW, EED, Catholic Bishops Conference, Missio Aachen. The joint
Consultation panels that were held between MECC and churches in Germany
during the visits aimed at discussing the situation of Christians in the
Middle East, challenges to their Christian presence in the midst of
political and religious upheavals, the Christian-Muslim relations, and
reflection on the German church situation and perspectives in these
respects. The delegation met several Heads of Churches in Lebanon and
Egypt as well as Muslim leaders. Many important papers were presented
during the consultations discussions, which were presented by both
Christians and Muslims. The German delegation paid a special visit to
the University of Azhar in Cairo.
The Consultation and
the visit of the German ecumenical delegation will continue through a
process of communication, dialogue, reflection and exchange of visits.
In summer 2008, a follow up process will take place in Germany where (10
persons from Germany and 10 persons from the Middle East) will meet for
a non-public conference to work on the question “what supports the
Christian Presence in the Middle East?”
v
Archbishop of Canterbury’s visit to Syria and Lebanon in
September 2007
Aiming at building
bridges, expressing solidarity with churches and Christians in the
Middle East, and meeting with Muslim leaders in the region, the
Archbishop of Canterbury Most Rt. Revd Dr Rowan Williams and seven of
the Anglican Bishops and Canons visited Syria and Lebanon between 26 and
28th of September.
CDM-8) The
Publication of a Book
The General
Secretariat published a book in Arabic & English, which is one of a
series under the title: “Religion & Human Rights Duties”. The
content of the book is the outcome of the second conference with the
International Islamic Forum for Dialogue.
II- Units
A- Unit on Faith and Unity
The Unit on Faith
and Unity works on promoting ecumenical spirit. The ministry of the
Middle East Council of Churches/Faith and Unity is based on the
development of ecumenical spirit through its various programs and
activities, and through the Council's programs and activities in
general.
F&U Activities &
Achievements
FU-1) Week of Prayer for Christian
Unity
The Unit usually
takes upon itself the translation to Arabic of the international text
proposed by the World Council of Churches and the Catholic Pontifical
Council for the Consolidation of Christian Unity in Rome, adapting it to
the special context in the Middle East. It has become a general practice
for the Middle East Council of Churches to publish the text of prayers
in booklets, with posters and cards, including a prayer for unity, and
to distribute them to the Churches and the Church institutions. The Unit
in collaboration with local Churches in the countries, organizes the
opening and closure of the Week of Prayers, and organizes conferences or
Church musical events in an ecumenical atmosphere, in each of the
countries in the Middle East.
In Lebanon,
the inaugural ecumenical celebration was held in the Syrian
orthodox Cathedral in Beirut, on January 18, 2007. A concert was
held jointly with ATIME at the end of the week in the Chapel of the
Pontifical Faculty of Theology in the Kaslik Holy Spirit University, in
Jounieh. A panel discussion on the ecumenical movement and
spirituality was aired live on the local TV Channel Télélumière/Noursat,
and two lectures were delivered by the Unit director in the
Jesuit “College Notre Dame de Jamhour” for a group of young people.
In Egypt, the
local committee celebrated the Week of Prayer from January 22 to 30,
2007, inaugurated in the Greek Orthodox Church of the Madonna
(Heliopolis) with a solemn prayer attended by all church leaders. It was
a major event that bestowed on this week the importance it deserves,
reminding Christians of the necessity of prayer and work for the
fulfillment of God’s
dearest wish. The daily ecumenical celebrations were held in a different
tradition.
In Syria,
churches in different regions of Syria celebrated the week of prayer for
Christian from January 18-25, 2007, in Aleppo, Hassake, Homs, Lattakia
and Damascus. Celebrations and activities reached out to various
categories of the community of faithful, especially young men and women.
in Aleppo the inauguration took place in the Church of the Holy Cross,
in the Armenian Catholic Cathedral, on January 22, 2007, and the
ecumenical meeting with youth from different Churches, in Saint Elias
Greek Orthodox Church, on January 26, 2007. In Homs, ecumenical
celebrations gathered clergy and lay from the various Churches, in the
Evangelical Church, on January 26, 2007.
In Jordan,
and for the first time for many years now, the Unit succeeded in
organizing on January 23, a common ecumenical celebration held at the
Sacred Heart of Jesus Latin Church in Amman. In addition to an important
number of clergy attending, 700 Christians from different denominations
prayed together on that occasion. Different satellite channels ensured
wide media coverage.
FU-2) Ecumenical Parish Ministers’
Encounters
A Pre-Assembly Parish
Ministers seminar was organized by the Unit on Faith & Unity in
Limasol/Cyprus (22 – 24 November). Twenty-two participants from MECC
member churches from Jordan, Egypt, Syria, Lebanon and Cyprus gathered
including three women (for the first time) whom their presence and
contributions were very much appreciated. The seminar tackled four main
issues which were: the theological and pastoral concerns of our churches
in the Middle East, the Ecumenical dialogue in the Middle East and its
challenges, the MECC presence, role and challenges, the interfaith
dialogue in the Middle East. Prayers, hymns, and meditations were part
of the spiritual aspect of the seminar. Significant recommendations were
recommended to the MECC 9th General Assembly meeting in
Paphos.
FU-3) "Faith and
Order" Document on Church Nature and Mission: May 2007
Upon the initiative
of the World Council of Churches/Office for the Middle East, the
document on Church Nature and Mission was translated into Arabic. The
Director of the Unit assisted in reviewing the translation and in
writing an introduction to the document, explaining significant
concepts.
In May 2007, due to
the security situation in Lebanon the Director of the Unit was unable to
participate with other theologians in the conference held by the
Committee on WCC/Faith and Order in Cairo, to discuss the Document. The
Unit however organized a theological seminar for the teachers of
theology in Lebanon. The seminar was held at the Pontifical College for
Theology at the Holy Spirit University in Kaslik. Over 55 professors
from the various Institutes of Theology in Lebanon participated in the
seminar, world famous, Herve Legrand, visiting the Holy Spirit
University of Kaslik, presented a valuable lecture on the theological
understanding of the local Church. This lecture was very well received
and quite commended by the participants who asked to repeat this event
in the coming years as such meetings revive the ecumenical spirit and
open widely the door for serious theological cooperation.
B- Unit on Education & Renewal
(E&R)
Through its four
programs Youth, Women, Family Education, and Schools Related to
Churches, the Unit on Education & Renewal made serious attempts to build
awareness about the reality of the Christians in the Middle East region,
and raise educational and ecumenical issues and challenges which cannot
be blacked out. It rather requires
cooperative efforts
from churches together to face and study them, to identify common
factors for solutions and finally to establish ecumenical plans to
resolve them. Among the challenges are the issues of Christian
emigration from the region, specially the young generation, difficult
role of the churches in this respect, the unsettled situations which are
forced on people because of war and destruction, the regression of
ethical values which are the end-result of the impact of media and
globalization, the increase in family life problems due to
misunderstandings about marriage as a ‘sacrament”, and last but not
least the gradual disappearances of the understanding of mission in
church related schools as a result of a profit making approach to ensure
the survival of the school.
The activities carried
by the Unit on Education & Renewal in 2007 confirmed to participants the
importance of carrying the ecumenical message of each gathering to the
local churches, and the importance of learning how to live unity in
diversity. The activities supported churches in developing their human
resources among youth, women, family education leaders and directors of
schools. It encouraged openness to have inclusive dialogue for
cooperation and exchange of experiences. The activities provided the
ecumenical space for participants to continuously meet and discuss
issues related to the daily life of youth, women, families and schools
which are of common regional, national and local concern. In this
regard, the Unit on Education & Renewal has launched some unique
educational ecumenical initiatives jointly with other partners in the
West such as: two study workshops between young people from the Middle
East and Europe which falls into the objective of building bridges
between the East and the West.
The Unit on Education &
Renewal has successfully, and in cooperation with the General
Secretariat office implemented five Christian-Muslim seminars in the
Middle East. These seminars are meant to develop the true feeling of
coexistence among young people.
E&R Activities &
Achievements
ER-1)
“East-West
Intercultural Dialogue between the Middle East & Europe” – Study Seminar
for Youth
The seminar was
convened in St Christopher’s Greek Orthodox Centre – Damascus, Syria
(28/2-2/3/2007). It targeted (25) young Christian and Muslim
participants from Syria, Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, Iran, Denmark, UK,
Holland, and Finland. The MECC/Youth Program initiated the idea of
bringing young people from the Middle East and Europe in a joint study
seminar to build bridges, overcome prejudices and stereotyping, and
learn about each other. The MECC felt the importance of this initiative
at such significant and difficult time when people have no knowledge
about “the other”. The workshop included talks and training workshops on
overcoming stereotyping, accepting diversity and dialogue. The final
statement expressed the importance of such gatherings and meetings that
help building bridges between east and west.
ER-2)
Work & Study Camp in Egypt
The annual work & study
camp for young people was convened in Fayed – Egypt (28/7-2/8/2007). It
targeted (25) young university students from Egypt, and the theme was
“Types of Characters”. It is unfortunate that due to the lack of funding
the camp was not able to accommodate young people from other countries.
ER-3)
Ecumenical Youth Day of Prayer
Another annual
ecumenical youth event of prayer took place in the Basilica Church in
Golf area – Cairo – Egypt (30/10/2007). The invitation to this event was
open to young people from different churches in Cairo. The theme this
year was “Let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your
mind” (Romans 12:2)
ER-4)
Seventh Christian - Muslim Youth Seminar
The seminar was held in
cooperation with the MECC General Secretariat under the theme:
“Religious Commitment and the Changing Cultures for Young Christians and
Muslims”. 40 young Christians and Muslims from Jordan, Palestine,
Syria, Lebanon and
Egypt gathered in
Century Park Hotel in Amman – Jordan (17 – 21 October 2007) and tackled
the issues of: changing of cultures and its impact on young people – the
crisis of religious thinking in confronting modernity – building peace
and the role of youth. The seminar included also training workshops on
identity and culture, globalization and culture, aspects of accepting
others, aspects of peace building.
ER-5)
Peace Building Program for Youth in USA
In Minnesota - USA, and
between 4 – 18 August the ARK (Architects Relation Knowledge) organized
a youth gathering for young Christians and Muslims from Jordan,
Palestine, USA, Guatemala, Malawi, and Lithuania. Director of MECC
Amman office headed the youth delegation from Jordan and Lebanon. The
gathering aimed at establishing a network of young people from both
religions and advocate for peace. The organizers are studying with MECC
the possibility of hosting such an annual event in Jordan 2008.
ER-6) Inter-
Religious Youth Dialogue in the Heart of the Mediterranean
More than 35
participants from the Middle East and Europe, from different Christian
and Muslim backgrounds, gathered from the 9th to the 16th of December in
Volos, Greece, for a training & study seminar “Monologue or Dialogue?
Inter-religious dialogue meets fundamentalism”. 10 young participants
from Syria, Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan and Palestine participated in this
event.
The event, organized by
MECC/Youth program in cooperation with the Ecumenical Youth Council of
Europe (EYCE) and the Forum of European Muslim Youth and Student
Organization (FEMYSO), is hosted by the Volos Academy for Theological
Studies in cooperation with the Metropolis of Demetrias. The conference
provided a platform for representatives of different religions and sects
to learn about one another.
Elements of the program
included analysis of fundamentalism from the perspective of sociology,
economy, psychology, theology, media and history; and critical analysis
of practices and traditions of Christianity and Islam that could promote
fundamentalism. Middle Eastern participants presented case studies and
analysis of contextual situations.
ER-7)
Youth Website
The MECC Youth Program
launched in 2006 its ecumenical youth website, upon the many requests
from young people in the churches, in both languages Arabic and English.
The website will hopefully be an ecumenical space for young people to
learn, know, reflect, and communicate about the ecumenical movement in
the Middle East and the World. The website is:
www.meccyouth.org
ER-8) Seminar
on "Women and the Economic & Social Pressures" - Egypt
This was the theme of a
seminar held in Cairo at the Greek Orthodox Youth Club (20.4.2007). 45
women from MECC member churches in Cairo attended the seminar. Speakers
highlighted the social and economical pressures on women specially those
who are working outside the house.
ER-9)
Seminar on
"Women and Society" - Egypt
Another seminar for
women in Egypt was held in Alexandria (1-3.11.2007) under the above
theme. 45 women from churches in Alexandria met to highlight the role of
women in developing the society at large.
ER-10)
Annual Women Seminar in Syria
The Women Program in
Syria held its annual seminar at St. Thomas Greek Catholic retreat
House/Damascus – Syria (3 – 7.10.2007) and under theme: “Women & Men are
partners in Decision-Making”. 45 women from MECC member churches in
Syria participated in the seminar. Speakers highlighted the role of both
women and men in decision making inside and outside the house of their
living. It also tackled the issue of the rights of women in the Canon
Law of some churches and how it was developed for the benefit of women.
ER-11) Ecumenical
Spiritual Retreat for Women - Lebanon
The Women Program in
Lebanon held a retreat for women to reflect on the theme of the MECC
General Assembly. 35 women gathered in St Antoine Nuns’ retreat House –
Bikfeya – Lebanon (15/9/2007), for this ecumenical and spiritual
exercise.
ER-12)
The Women
Program produced in 2007 a
documentary book
in Arabic, covering all the seminars held in Egypt during the last two
years. The book of 350 pages includes pictures of events.
ER-13) 2nd
Family Counseling Workshop - Syria
The Family Education
Program in Syria held a training seminar for leaders of family program
in churches. The training was held at the Holy Cross Armenian Catholic
Church in Aleppo (May 3 – 5, 2007) and was attended by (40) participants
both lay and clergy. The workshop was a follow-up training on family
counseling for leaders of family education programs.
ER-14)
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