International Ecumenical Relations

Email: mecc@cyberia.net.lb

February, 2006  

Statement of Heads of Churches in Iraq

Following the violent attacks targeting the churches in Iraq end of January, a statement dated January 31^st 2006 was issued by the Heads of Churches in Iraq, condemning the renewed violence on the Baghdad and Kirkuk churches, in reaction to the Danish media publications on the prophet Mohammad. Qualifying the publications as unethical and damaging, the churches of Iraq believe them to be the work of atheists and not Christians. Similar publications have also, in the past, desecrated Christ as well as the Virgin Mary. Such acts are an attack on all monotheistic religions.

Though the churches believe and support freedom of expression, this freedom should not overstep on peoples’ values, faiths and beliefs. Churches should unite and struggle, against such harmful acts, and encourage and request an international law for their prevention.

The Statement in Arabic is posted on the MECC website at www.mec-churches.org

MECC Statement on Iraq

The MECC General Secretary issued a statement of solidarity with the churches of Iraq, expressing deep concern about the “increasing criminal attacks that have not ceased to target the churches in Iraq”. The statement qualifies these acts as a continuation of the evil attempts to create division between Iraqi Christians and Muslims who are bound by the same history and national feelings, and who are looking forward to a new future in Iraq.

Believing in the advantages of Christian-Muslim dialogue, the MECC calls on the Iraqi authorities and citizens of both religions to maximize efforts and cooperate to stop all that harms their common living. The statement is posted on the MECC website at www.mec-churches.org

MECC General Secretary’s Letters of Solidarity to Heads of Churches

Following the violence and destruction caused to the Saint Maroun (Maronite) and Saint Nicholas (Greek Orthodox) churches, during the demonstrations of February 5, 2006, in Beirut, Lebanon, against the publication of caricatures in the Danish media, the MECC General Secretary addressed letters of sympathy to H.B. Cardinal Mar Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir, Patriarch of the Maronite Church, H. E. Metropolitan Elias Audeh of the Greek Orthodox Church of Beirut and H. E. Bishop Boulos Mattar, Bishop of the Maronite Bishopric of Beirut. In his letter, Mr. Guirgis Saleh expresses deep regrets regarding the violations against these churches in a city known for the harmonious relations of love and unity between its Christian and Muslim citizens.

MECC Contributes Five Mutirao Workshops to the World Council of Churches’ 9^th General Assembly

Five Mutirao workshops were contributed to the WCC 9^th General Assembly by the MECC around the themes “Christian Presence in the Middle East”, “Christian-Muslim Dialogue”, “ Detention: Freedom Denied”, “Iraq” and “Palestine”. MECC General Secretary and program staff attending the event shared in these workshops along with youth and other representatives of Middle Eastern churches.

The Mutirao on Christian presence presented in a creative way the issue of Christian emigration as a dangerous and threatening sign. Testimonies of youths highlighted the challenges they are facing and their vision of maintaining this presence. For more information, kindly contact Mr. Razek Siriani at rsiriani@mail.sy

The Mutirao on Detention was prepared jointly by members of the WCC Global Ecumenical Network on Uprooted People. From the MECC, the Director of the Unit on Life and Service moderated the Mutirao and shared migration, asylum and detention concerns from a Middle Eastern perspective. For more information, kindly contact Ms. Seta Hadeshian at meccls@cyberia.net.lb

MECC Executive Committee Members Elected on WCC Central and Executive Committees

MECC Executive Committee members, Rev. Dr. Safwat Al Bayadi (MECC President), H.E. Amba Bishoy and H. G. Bishop Vassili Karayanis were elected on the WCC Central Committee by the 9^th General Assembly, in Porto Allegre. The latter two were also elected on the WCC Executive Committee.

The MECC takes this opportunity to warmly congratulate them and wish them success in their new   responsibilities.

MECC Justice, Peace & Human Rights Program Addresses Protection of Rights

A workshop was organized by the JPHR, jointly with the Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East (ATIME) from February 9-2, 2006, in Cairo, Egypt, for around fifty students in theology from all countries of the Middle East, to discuss the value of the human being as a focal point in the protection of rights.  

This activity is part of the JPHR efforts in spreading the culture of human rights in the region and targets a wide range of persons and groups, more specifically students in theology, both clergy and lay, to enable them address human rights challenges on a longer term. Presentations and discussions during the workshop focused on deepening the understanding of human rights in theological studies and on issues of consumerism, slavery, citizenship and equality, discrimination in general and against women and the oppressed, in particular.

The workshop came up with a mechanism of work to spread the culture of citizenship and to promote human rights education in the region, as well as a follow up process, setting the date for the second phase of the activity.

In her testimony on the workshop, a student said “we need to be one, united, as we are the Body of Christ, to help every human being enjoy his/her rights, irrespective of religion, country or political beliefs. Such a meeting is very important as it showed us the different types of abuses of human rights and as a result, we were able to come out with ways and means of struggling for these rights and not only talk about them”. For more information kindly contact Ms. Alexa Abi Habib at mecccypr@spidernet. net.cy

MECC/JPHR and the Assembly of Catholic Patriarchs Discuss their Cooperation

A series of meetings were held between Catholic Patriarchs in the Middle East and the MECC General Secretariat and JPHR program coordinator to study the possibility, as well as the ways and means of working together to monitor the justice, peace and human rights situation in the region, and to issue and circulate periodic reports to be shared with the MECC ecumenical partners and the Arab churches as well. For more information, kindly contact Ms. Alexa Abi Habib at mecccypr@spidernet.net.cy

MECC Publications

The MECC Communication Department announces the publication of the February issue of the Arabic periodical Al Mountada. The Unit on Life and Service/Service to Refugees, Displaced and Migrants has published an illustrated colored book on refugees entitled “Back to God’s Paradise”.

MECC Calendar of Events March 2006

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