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International Ecumenical Relations Email: mecc@cyberia.net.lb April, 2008
WCC–MECC PUBLIC HEARING ON MIGRATION IN LEBANON “Migration & the Changing Ecclesial Context of Churches” was the theme of the international conference that focused on migration concerns identified and organized jointly by the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)/Unit on Diakonia & Social Justice. The Conference took place at the Armenian Catholicosate of Holy See of Cilicia in Antelias from 14-16 April 2008. Representatives of Lebanon’s faith communities (Christians and Muslims) shared their opinions as the Public Hearing on Migration and the Changing Ecclesial Landscape which was officially opened on the 14th of April 2008. Representatives of the Druze, Sheikh Sami Abou El Mouna; Shi’ite, Sheikh Muhammad Al Jaafari Abdel Amir Kabalan and Sunni, Mr. Mohamad Sammak, Muslim communities joined their words of welcome to those from Metropolitans of the Maronite (Catholic) Church, Archbishop Boulos Matar and the Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch, Metropolitan George Kheder, WCC General Secretary Rev. Dr. Sam Kobia, MECC General Secretary Mr. Guirgis Saleh, as well as His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the (Armenian Orthodox) Holy See of Cilicia, who hosted the Public Hearing. In his opening speech, MECC General Secretary identified the goal of the conference in “deepening the cooperation between nations and churches to comfront together the issue of migration”. He warned that “demographic changes which is happening in result of Christian migration in the Middle East, will threaten the coexistence situation between Chrsitians and Mulsims”. The General Secretary called on churches and governments to “take their responsibilities in dealing with the issue of migration by adopting fair and developed startegies.” Photo: MECC media “Welcoming the stranger is not optional for Chrsitians nor is it conditional” said the WCC General Secretary in his address. Both Muslim and Christian leaders stressed that “migration is an existiantial factual phenomena which concerns not only religions but all humans. We can neither turn our backs to it nor control it”. They called on preserving the scheme of coexistence in Lebanon with its diverse religions, and that dialogue is the only solution for political consensus in Lebanon. The conference gave the opportunity to reflect on cultural and religious actors that affect migration and living together, pointed to the historical challenges, focused on the application and interpretation of rights and responsibilities, of civic citizenship mentality, integration and national social cohesion, of assimilation and integration, of friction between minorities and majority. Testimonies by the youth from Lebanese different universities, on why they leave the region in search for a brighter future spoke powerfully of their attachment to their country in a context in which university graduates all face the question “What am I staying here for?” His Holiness Patriarch Paulos, who is one of the Presidents of the World Council of churches, addressed the conference in his coinciding short visit to Lebanon. “Making the voices of agonized people heard”, Patriarch Paulos stressed the important role of religion for an adequate standard for the society. In terms of participants from other regional ecumenical networks the conference hosted The General Secretaries of Christian Conference of Asia, Churches Commission for Migrants in Europe; representatives of churches in Latin America, Australia National Council of Churches, Church World Service in USA, Canadian Justice Initiative, and participants from sister agencies, representatives of local civil society religious leaders, academics, politicians and graduate students NGOS and Government representatives from across Lebanon, around 120, who gave significant input to the hearing. WCC General Secretary Dr. Sam Kobia, presented the public statement to be adopted by the conference. He thanked the Middle East Council of Churches, the Armenian Orthodox Catholicosate, the conference’s organizing committee and the delegates for their active participation. In his final address His Holiness Aram I, President of MECC concluded that: “Religions should play an important role in issues of concern to our societies”.
The Public Hearing on Migration and the Changing Ecclesial Landscape was
the first in a series of hearings on the topic, which are to take place
over the next years in the different regions of the world. It was
followed by a 2-day meeting of the Global Ecumenical Network on
Migration (GEM), which brought together regional ecumenical
organizations, churches and Christian agencies working on the topic
around the world. For more information contact: meccls@cyberia.net.lb Annexed the “Public Statement”
On the 5th of April 2008, un-known armed group assassinated in cold blood a Syrian Orthodox priest (Fr Yousef Adel Aboudi) on his way out from his home to the church in Baghdad. Two weeks earlier a Chaldean Bishop was killed after two weeks of kidnapping. The late Priest was born in Iraq in 1960, ordained as a Priest in 1988 to serve a Syrian Orthodox Church in Baghdad, which was blown up two years ago. MECC General Secretary sent a letter of condolence to H.H. Patriarch Ignatius Zakka I Iwas Patriarch of the Syrian Orthodox Church. Statistics would estimate the number of Christians in Iraq before the coalition troops entered Iraq in 2003 with more than 800.000. While nowadays the estimation is less than 350.000 living under difficult situations and threats from armed extremists’ un-identified groups.
MECC RECEIVES A CHURCH DELEGATION FROM SCOTLAND On Tuesday April 8th, a delegation of the Church of Scotland accompanied by Rev. Dr. Joseph Kassab, General Secretary of the Evangelical Synod in Lebanon & Syria, visited the MECC Headquarters and met with the General Secretary, the Associate General Secretaries, and senior staff. The meeting provided an opportunity to brief the guests about the challenges facing the ministry of MECC in these particular times. On behalf of the delegation Rev. Sheila Kesting expressed her appreciation for the work that is undertaken by MECC in these very complex political, religious and denominational settings. For more information contact: eliashalabi@yahoo.com
MECC GENERAL SECRETARY VISITS CHURCH LEADERS IN JORDAN On April 9th the MECC General Secretary accompanied by the Finance Secretary and the Director of the Unit on Education & Leadership Development visited Church Leaders in Amman: H.E. Archbishop Salim Sayegh of the Latin Church, and Archbishop Yaser of the Greek Melkite Catholic Church. The General Secretary exchanged with them the work, which is done for the Iraqis in Jordan as well as other MECC matters. The General Secretary also met with the President of DSPR Commission Mr. George Hazo and discussed the preparations for the forthcoming DSPR round table. For more information contact: guirgissaleh@cyberia.net.lb
WCC & MECC GENERAL SECRETARIES CELEBRATE PALM SUNDAY IN SYRIA The General Secretary of the World Council of Churches accompanied by MECC General Secretary and a WCC delegation attended the Orthodox Palm Sunday service (19 April) at the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch in Damascus – Syria. Learning about the Christian presence in Syria and how churches are maintaining their mission challenged by the emigration of Christians, as well as experiencing the coexistence between Christians and Muslims were the main aims of the WCC General Secretary’s visit to Syria. During his meetings with Christian and Muslim leaders, the General Secretary repeatedly heard that dialogue between religions is the only way out from conflicts. H.B. Patriarch Ignatios IV Hazim said: “we have to see the real people and share with them”. At the Kuftaro Islamic Foundation, the General Secretary heard that “the Mosque cannot live in Syria without the Church, nor the Church can live without the Mosque”.
H.E. The President of the Arab Syrian Republic, Dr. Bachar Al-Assad, received the delegation with warm welcoming and emphasized the value of religious diversities in the Middle East. The diminishing of such diversity, the President said: “may end up with many small singled colored countries fighting each other”. The President talked about Christian–Muslim relations in Syria “not as coexistence but as symbiosis”. In his turn, Kobia recognized the efforts of the Syrian government and President Assad to provide “a safe haven for refugees from Iraq”. The WCC delegation met with Iraqi displaced families who are welcomed in Syria and had the chance to exchange words with them and listened to their stories. Most of the Iraqi Christians do not want to return to their homeland because it is not secure. "We do not want Iraq to be emptied of Christians but if they are in danger there, how could we tell them to stay?" asked H.H. Patriarch Mar Ignatius Zakka I Iwas of the Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch. The Grand Mufti of Syria affirmed that Christian and Muslim leaders do not want the Iraqis to leave to other “Western” countries. Referring to peace in the region, The WCC General Secretary heard from H.B. Patriarch Gregorios Laham III of the Greek Melkite Catholic Church saying: “peace in the Holy Land is the core of all the problems in the region”. The Patriarch urged the WCC to work for establishing peace between Palestine and Israel. The WCC General Secretary and his delegation, accompanied by MECC General Secretary and senior MECC staff in Syria were told by H.H. Patriarch Zakka “come and see, go and witness”. For more information contact: laham-s@scs-net.org Other references: www.oikoumene.org
WCC & MECC GENERAL SECRETARIES IN DUBAI The WCC General Secretary, Dr. Sam Kobia accompanied by MECC General Secretary, Mr. Guirgis Saleh and WCC delegation visited churches in Dubai (17 – 19 April). The delegation learned about the Christians in the Gulf and their activities in the areas of interreligious dialogue, and how churches are serving the needs of migrants who are in most cases expatriates from South Asia. The WCC delegation appreciated and encouraged the intention among churches in the Gulf to improve the cooperation among them and create an ecumenical platform for the Gulf. For more information contact: guirgissaleh@cyberia.net.lb Other references: www.oikoumene.org
NORWEGIAN YOUTH CHURCH GROUP HAS ENCOUNTERS IN SYRIA Five young persons representing the Norwegian Council of Churches visited Syria during the period of (21–26 April 2008). The MECC/International Ecumenical Relations coordinated the plan of their program. The aim of the visit was to get acquainted with the situation of Christians, churches and youth in Syria, and learn more about the coexistence between Christians and Muslims. The program of the visit had different aspects of discussion encounters with young people (Christians and Muslims) on issues of freedom, democracy, challenges of globalization, and inter-cultural dialogue. The group visited Christian historical sites and places, and attended church services during the Orthodox Holy Week of Passion. The young Norwegians met with some young Iraqi refugees in Aleppo and were moved by their stories of leaving their country Iraq without a hope for return. The youth delegation was impressed with the life of Syrians in coexistence and moved by the many stories about the Christian life, which is dated back to the time of Jesus. The delegation and MECC agreed on an exchange visit from a Syrian youth delegation to Norway in 2009. For more information contact: rsiriani@scs-net.org, www.meccyouth.org
AN MECC MESSAGE ON THE THIRD ANNIVERSARY OF POPE BENEDICT XVI
May the grace of our Lord Jesus and the love of God and the fellowship
of the
On the third anniversary of his Pontificate Pope Benedict XVI, we have
the
We pray the Lord to bless the Pontificate for his relentless effort in
building
We humbly solicit the prayers of the Holy Father for the Christian
Communities
Guirguis Ibrahim Saleh
The MECC General Secretary attended on April 21st the ceremony at this occasion in Syria at the invitation of His Beatitude Patriarch Gregorios III Laham of the Greek Melkite Catholic Church.
TRAINING SEMINAR ON HUMAN RIGHTS IN PRISON MINISTRY MECC Diakonia & Social Justice Unit held a training seminar in Beirut – Lebanon on “Human Rights in Prison Ministry” (29 – 30 April). The seminar tackled the issues of international laws regarding the treatment of prisoners, international criteria of overcoming the use of violence and torture in prisons, the concept of prison in healing the conducts of prisoners, and the international laws in regulating the conducts of staff in prisons. MECC Director of Unit on Diakonia & Social Justice welcomed the participants in affirming the role of churches and religious institutes in defending the rights of prisoners and those who are under injustices. For more information contact: meccls@cyberia.net.lb
The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) is a fellowship of churches in the Middle East, which foster the ecumenical movement in the region. It brings together almost all the region’s Christians in a body that focuses on strengthening the relations between churches, between Christians and non-Christians in the region, and between members of the body of Christ within and outside the region. In bringing these different churches together, MECC seeks to serve the needs of the broader society, by engaging in diakonical work, advocacy, education and training on behalf of the whole church, rather than one part of it. The MECC is founded in 1974 through its first General Assembly. The Council’s head quarter is in Beirut, Lebanon. However, regional offices in Egypt, Syria, Jordan and Jerusalem exist.
Contact: MECC International Ecumenical Relations For Contribution: Middle East Council of Churches HSBC Bank – Middle East Hamra Branch – Ras Beirut Beirut – Lebanon Account No: 003-074473-100 Bank Swift Code No: BBMELBBX
Public Statement of the World Council of Churches and Middle East Council of Churches Public Hearing “The Changing Ecclesial Context: Impact of Migration on Living Together” Armenian Catholicosate of the Holy See of Cilicia – Antelias Beirut, Lebanon: 14 – 16 April 2008-04-15
Migration is a fact of life. It is as much an instinct to survive as it is an inevitable consequence of globalization. We can neither turn our backs on it, nor control it. It will have decisive consequences for the world as we know it and a massive impact on the church and the ecumenical movement both at the local, regional and global levels. We need not, however, react with hysteria and fear. Migration is as much a part of who we are as it is a part of the history that has shaped us. However, if states continue to speak only of ‘migration’ and not ‘migrants’, then migrants will continue to be exploited as nothing more than cheap labor for factories or slave labor for construction sites. If populist politicians and media outlets continue to brand migrants and refugees as ‘illegals’, ‘aliens’, ‘queue jumpers’ and ‘bogus’ asylum seekers, then migrants will continue to suffer from the racist, discriminatory and xenophobic undercurrents in every society. If we as churches only see migrants as victims, then we undermine their strengths and their resilience. If source countries only consider emigration as a loss – a brain drain – then migrants will be discouraged from returning and the potential ‘brain gain’ will be lost. Lebanese representatives stressed the fact that the migration of Lebanon’s youth affects all Lebanese people and that to address the phenomena of Lebanon’s loss of educated youth, all facets of Lebanese society must come together to share their perspectives and articulate a vision for the future of Lebanon. A reoccurring theme throughout the Hearing, and one that was keenly felt, was the impact of migration on the Christian presence in the Middle East. Much of the public debate about migration is couched in terminology which is loaded and derogatory. People trying to enter another country are vilified as "illegal immigrants", "gate-crashers", "queue-jumpers", and even as "invaders" seeking to breach the defenses of a country with malicious intent. The clear implication is that they are “abusing the system” and “exploiting our generosity” and ought to be punished and deterred, with strong-armed politicians leading the public charge. But they also create the impression that migrants have no right to enter, and indeed, no rights at all, justifying harsh detention centers, deportations and the like. Adding to this, the September 11 attacks in the USA not only encouraged the demonizing of migrants by labeling them as security threats, but also made it less likely that people will stick their neck out to defend migrants. Yet this demonization and scaremongering only perpetuates a vicious cycle, driving migrants back into their communities for protection, and making it harder for them to integrate. Given their precarious legal position in the host country, irregular migrant workers easily fall prey to extortion and are highly vulnerable to abuse and exploitation by unscrupulous employers, migration agents and labor brokers, corrupt bureaucrats and even criminal gangs. Those committing such abuses – including human traffickers, sweat shop and brothel owners - know that they will rarely be held to account as irregular migrants fear drawing official attention to themselves, as they may risk arrest or deportation, and are thus reluctant to turn to the authorities to enforce respect for their rights. Indeed, it is the very fact that irregular migrants are vulnerable and that perpetrators are unlikely to be held accountable that allows, and even encourages, the crime and corruption states wish to combat. The same crimes that are so commonly blamed on the presence of ‘foreigners’. While we continue to only see the impact of migration in narrow terms, we will fail to come to grips with the economic potential of migrants; the role remittances play in supporting families, stabilizing countries during emergencies, and providing the vital capital needed for developing economies. Beyond hospitality, however, the churches must be a strong advocate and defender of the rights of people to move freely within their own nations and when driven by poverty, insecurity and persecution, to leave their homes in search of their God given right to life with dignity. The church has a responsibility to ensure that public opinion is properly informed on the root causes of migration and the factors that force people to leave their homes. We must confront racism, discrimination and xenophobia wherever and whenever it manifests itself; in churches, in our communities and our nations. Migrants are not commodities, illegal aliens or mere victims. They are human beings. Migrant rights are human rights. We must respect the human dignity of every migrant and give holistic consideration to their needs, their strengths and the economic, social and cultural contributions they make to society. Above all, we must stand in solidarity with migrants and migrant churches, accompany them and include them in the decision-making that effects and governs their lives. Throughout this Hearing, participants were challenged by the complexities and sheer scale of migration, but they were heartened by the good will and common goals shared by Christian and Muslim leaders, and Lebanon’s Islamic and Christian communities. We call upon the churches to not only recognize the need to collaborate with other faiths, but were challenged to deepen and strengthen inter-faith dialogue and cooperation on migration.
The Public Hearing, which was hosted by the Middle East Council of Churches, brought together the World Council of Churches, Churches Commission for Migrants in Europe, the All Africa Conference of Churches, the Christian Conference of Asia, the National Council of Churches in Australia, the Initiative for Justice and Peace, CAIROS, Canada, and representatives from Church World Service, Church of Sweden, Christian World Service Australia. Open to the public it drew participation from young Christians in the Middle East, researchers, professors from the Middle Eastern University, politicians and diplomats, civil society and community organizations.
The Public Hearing on Migration and the Changing Ecclesial Landscape in Beirut, Lebanon, was the first of eight hearings on the Migration, which will take place over the next few years in different regions of the world. It was followed by a two-day meeting of the Global Ecumenical Network on Migration, which brings together regional ecumenical organizations, churches and Christian humanitarian organizations working on migration issues around the globe.
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