International Ecumenical Relations

Email: mecc@cyberia.net.lb

February, 2008

THE FIFTH MEETING OF THE THEOLOGICAL DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND THE ORIENTAL ORTHODOX CHURCHES CONVENED IN SYRIA

The fifth meeting of the International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches took place in St. Ephrem Syrian Orthodox Monastery in Ma’arat Saydnaya, Damascus - Syria, January 27 to February 2, 2008, at the invitation of His Holiness Patriarch Mar Ignatius Zakka I Iwas of the Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch and All the East. The meeting was chaired jointly by His Eminence Cardinal Walter Kasper, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and His Eminence Metropolitan Bishoy of Damiette, General Secretary of the Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church.

The bulk of the meeting was devoted to the examination of a draft document produced by the drafting committee, entitled “Nature, Constitution and Mission of the Church”. His Excellency Dr. Bashar Al-Assad, President of the Syrian Arab Republic received on behalf of the Commission, His Holiness Patriarch Mar Ignatius Zakka I Iwas and His Eminence Walter Cardinal Kasper.

MECC General Secretary Mr Guirgis Saleh visited the conference and discussed related issues to dialogue between churches. 

The sixth meeting of the International Commission will be hosted by the Catholic Church in Rome in January 25-31, 2009.

For further information contact: guirgissaleh@cyberia.net.lb

Copy of the full report is annexed to this News below.

DELEGATION REPRESENTING GERMAN CHURCHES VISITS LEBANON & SYRIA

The MECC coordinated and organized the visit of thirty representatives from the various churches in Germany to Lebanon and Syria during (February 2 - 9). The purpose of the delegation’s visit was to become closely acquainted with the Christian challenges and presence in the Middle East. The delegation had a wide range of program in both countries, which contained official meetings with Heads of Churches, Church leaders, and Muslim leaders. Heads of churches appreciated the visit of the German delegation and stressed on the importance of the continuous communication between churches in the East and in the West, and the importance of Christian-Muslim dialogue in this region. In addition to these meetings, the delegation visited famous Christian monuments, monasteries and churches such as: Wadi Qadisha – Harissa – Kefraya in Lebanon; and St Ananias church – Saydnaya monastery in Syria. The delegation visited also down town Beirut, Baalbek, Beit ed-Din, Baalbek, Byblos in Lebanon, and Qasioun Mountain in Syria.

On Monday the 4^th, the delegation met with MECC General Secretary and staff. The General Secretary explained the ecumenical mission of the Council in this region, and the staff presented the ecumenical activities that the Council is carrying.

For further information contact: guirgissaleh@cyberia.net.lb

MECC PRESIDENT HIS HOLINESS CATHOLICOS ARAM I EXPRESSES IN AN INTEVIEW HIS VISION FOR THE ECUMENICAL MOVEMENT

The Germany-based Schneller Magazine recently conducted an interview with Catholicos Aram I on the ecumenical movement particularly in light of the large-scale changes the world is witnessing.
The Catholicos analyzed the situation identifying some problems and expressing his viewpoints on a number of aspects related to the movement. He expressed his firm belief that in the current world the Church cannot survive and carry out its mission without an ecumenical vision. He emphasized that the Ecumenical Movement needed to broaden its vision, become more realistic in its approaches and should not ignore the multicultural and multi-religious society in which the 21st century Church lives. He also advised that Ecumenism, which has acquired a largely institutional character, should retain its true identity as a movement, a vision.

Quoted from the Armenian Orthodox electronic News: www.armenianorthodoxchurch.org

HIS HOLINESS POPE BENEDICTUS ACCEPTS THE RESIGNATION OF THE SYRIAN CATHOLIC PATRIARCH

H.H. the Pope of Rome addressed the Patriarch Ignatius Peter the VIII Abdel-Ahad of the Syrian Catholic Church in the East with a letter accepting the resignation of the Patriarch and appointing a committee from three Bishops to carry the work of the Church until a new Patriarch is elected end of this year. In his letter, the Pope expressed his spiritual link with the resigned Patriarch and praised the remarkable works and sacrifices that the Patriarch has offered to the wellbeing of his church.

In his last address, Patriarch Abdel-Ahad confirmed that those who serve the church shall always remember that they are humble servants to their Lord Jesus Christ. The Patriarch thanked all those who helped him in his ministry.

MECC GENERAL SECRETARY MEETS WITH MUSLIM LEADERS IN LEBANON

MECC General Secretary met with the Vice President of the Higher Shia’at Council and with the Gernad Mufti of Lebanon and invited them to the opening ceremony of the forthcoming conference on “Migration as a Global Phenomenon – Perspectives & Challenges” which will be held in Antelias – Lebanon next April, with the presence of the WCC General Secretary. The Muslim leaders welcomed and accepted the invitation. During the two meetings, discussions went around the latest offence of the caricatures drawing of the Prophet Muhammad, which appeared lately in the Norwegians and Danish newspapers. MECC General Secretary stated the condemnation of the Council and its member churches of such acts, which create intolerance between religions and leads to more violence in the world.  

MECC GENERAL SECRETARY CONGRATULATES ARCHBISHOP HIERONYMOS II UPON HIS ELECTION AS HEAD OF THE CHURCH OF GREECE

In a letter to His Grace Archbishop Hieronymus II, MECC General Secretary congratulated His Beatitude on his election as the Head of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Greece. ‘We are well aware’ the General Secretary said: ‘that your Beatitude’s dedication to the ecumenical task, your deep knowledge of people’s concern and difficulties, and your commitment to services based on faith in Christ’. 

The former Metropolitan of Thebes and Livadia was elected Archbishop of Athens and All Greece by the church's Holy Synod on 7 February. He succeeds Archbishop Christodoulos, who died on 28 January.

 

ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND CHRISTIANS IN QATAR ARE PREARING THEMSELVES TO CELEBRATE EASTER IN A NEWLY BUILT CHURCH

Several news agencies reported that one hundred thousand Christians living in Qatar of different nationalities and denominations are preparing themselves to celebrate for their first time Easter in a newly and the only built Church in Qatar. The construction of the church which will be consecrated on the name of the Lady the Virgin is going through acute discussions among those who are against and pro this project. Although there are other churches in the Gulf region, yet it was agreed that this church will have no crosses on top of its Dom. Several news agencies wrote against the construction of this church in Qatar, yet some Muslim religious leaders welcomed the idea believing that it is a ‘right’, which Islam has never denied and is a message of tolerance. The church will be under the jurisdiction of the Catholic Bishop in the Gulf and according to the Vatican news a representative of the Vatican will inaugurate the church on March 15.

MECC WOMAN PROGRAM COORDINATOR PARTICIPATES IN A FORUM ON ‘WOMEN’

On the occasion of the 20 years on the Papal Cyclical letter ‘On the Woman’s Dignity’ which was issued by the Late Pope John Paul II in 1988, the Carmelite Institute of Theology in Lebanon organized a ‘Forum’ on a book about ‘Woman’, which was written by St. Terezia Benedicta (1891 – 1942). Among the several speakers who participated in the forum was Mrs. Maha Wehbe, MECC Women Program Coordinator in Lebanon whom she presented a paper on ‘Commitment of Women in the Ecumenical Movement’. 

For further information contact: mecclb@cyberia.net.lb

MECC GENERAL SECRETARY PARTICIPATES IN WCC CENTRAL COMMITTEE MEETING

MECC General Secretary attended the meeting of the WCC Central Committee, which was held in the Ecumenical House of Geneva (13 – 20 February). Each working day of the WCC Central Committee meetings begins with a time of common prayer, Bible reading and reflection. The business sessions included accounts by representatives from around the world, an official celebration marking the 60th anniversary of the council’s formation, meetings between families of churches and committee elections. The WCC called with churches of the Holy Land and the MECC for an immediate lifting of the blockade of Gaza, reiterates its absolute condemnation of attacks on civilians both in the occupied Palestinian territories and Israel, churches to speak out of the people of Gaza, and remind the government of Israel to fulfill its international obligations as an occupying power.

Bishop Nareg Alemezian from the Armenian Orthodox Church in Lebanon was elected on a Search Committee for the nomination of a new General Secretary.

MECC General Secretary had the chance to meet with some partners, world church representatives, and friends of MECC whom he discussed with them the work and activities of MECC in its different aspects.

For further information: www.wcc-coe.org

 MECC UNIT DIRECTOR ON LIFE & SERVICE PARTICIPATES IN ACT ANNUAL MEETING IN GENEVA

Action by Churches Together International has embarked on an Alliance-wide, innovative and multi-phased Capacity Development Initiative.  The primary aim and the objective of the Capacity Development Initiative (CDI) is to strengthen the capacity of ACT members and to enhance the ability, principally of member organizations and ACT Forums, related churches and other institutions of the Alliance to mitigate the effects of, and respond to, disasters and humanitarian emergencies.

MECC General Secretary nominated Ms. Seta Hadeshian Director of the Unit on Life & Service, to represent the Council and the Middle East region.

Currently the CDSG has ten members representing Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean and the Middle East. The seats for North America, Australia and the Pacific will be identified soon and added to the CDSG. 

The CDI started its preparations in January 2008. At its first meeting on the 14^th of January 2008 at the WCC Headquarters, Geneva, the CDGS elected its chairs: Ms. Seta Hadeshian-MECC and Mr. Herman Brouwer-ICCO

For further information contact: meccls@cyberia.net.lb

MECC/ LIFE & SERVICE HELD ADVOCACY WORKSHOP ON MIGRANTS’ RIGHTS

“Migrants Rights and Development Prospects” was the theme of the advocacy workshop which was organized by MECC Unit on Life & Service, Service to Refugees, Displaced and Migrants Program, and took place on February 7 - 8, 2008, at hotel Le Meridien - Commodore, Beirut - Lebanon.

More than 50 participants from churches, church-related NGOs, national and international organizations participated in it. Present were the Lebanese Director General of Minister of Labor, and a delegation from the Ministry of Labor, representatives of Interior Security forces, representative of General Security, Director of Human Rights Institute Beirut Bar Association, Philippine’s Labor Attaché, and representative of the Embassy of Sri Lanka.  

In view of providing information on the situation of migrant workers residing in Lebanon, several interventions were made by the representative of Caritas Migrant on their legal condition and the constitutional context in Lebanon; the activities and progress of the National Steering committee on the Migrants Rights; the Human Rights perspective of the Ministry of Labor; the situation of Philippine Migrant workers in Lebanon; and the role of the media.

Participants identified concrete action plan and recommendations to the Ministry of Labor to take into consideration in the future development plans of the National Steering Committee.

For further information contact: meccls@cyberia.net.lb

MECC IN SYRIA IS IMPLEMETING THE 2^ND PHASE OF ACT APPEAL FOR IRAQIS

The MECC offices in Syria (Damascus and Aleppo) started the implementation of the 2nd phase

of ACT Appeal which focuses on vocational training for young needy Iraqis residing in Syria.

About thirty young Iraqi students were identified to enroll in an English language course, which will enable them to improve their English and acquire a certificate.

HEADS OF CHURCHES IN JORDAN REJECT THE NEW MISSIONARY SECTS IN THE COUNTRY

In a statement issued on Friday the 15^th of February, Heads of Churches in Jordan were offended with a report, which was issued by an American agency on the inter-net regarding the situation of Christians in Jordan and stated that the Jordanian authorities are expelling foreign Christians from the country. Heads of Churches considered the report as an: ‘offend to the relationships between Christians and Muslims in the country and has many false facts’. The statement of churches assessed that ‘Christians in Jordan are living their normal, safe and secure life everywhere in the country’, and ‘have unique relationships with their counterpart the Muslims’. ‘Christians’ continued the statement ‘are fully involved in the social, economical, political life of the country as full citizens’, and that ‘Christians in Jordan has never been under violence or terrorism but lived in peace with Muslims’. With regard the missionary sects whom their numbers have increased in the last few years, the statement rejects some of these sects who ‘came to the country pretending to offer the Christians social and human services, but it quickly uncovered its true intention to establish new churches, start proselytizing faithful, act as new missionaries, and create tension between Christians and Muslims’.

YOUNG STEWARDS FROM THE MIDDLE EAST

Three young stewards from Lebanon (Ms. Nazeli Kandakarjian), Syria (Mr. Salam Hanna) and Palestine (Mr. Haytham Salsaa) served at the WCC Central Committee meeting (10 – 20 February). ‘It is like being in the centre of the globe’ Nazeli was quoted, ‘it couldn’t be better than this’. Stewardship is a youth program related to WCC, which brings young people from all over the world to serve, learn, and interact. The program is part of the ecumenical formation for young people.         

CHRISTIANS IN THE MIDDLE EAST IS THE THEME OF A WORLD CONFERENCE IN ROME

St Egidio Community in Rome organized a conference on the theme: “Christians in the Middle East between their Future, Tradition and Islam”. The founder of the Community Dr Andrea Ricardi stressed in his opening speech on the importance of supporting the ‘Christian presence in the Middle East’. He stated that the ‘Eastern Christians are the origin and the roots of Christianity. They relate the Church in the West with its origin. Christianity was born in the East and spread to the West and from there to the rest of the world’. The conference, which lasted for two days (20 – 21 February) aimed at shedding the lights on the situation of Christians in the Middle East, which is somehow forgotten by the Europeans and the Westerns in general, and to strengthen the relationships and solidarity with them. Several Eminent clergies and lay speakers from the Middle East presented their input regarding the situations of Christians in the Middle East.

For further information: www.stegidio.org

CHURCHES IN EUROPE CONDEMN THE CARICATURES OF THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD

The Christian Council of Norway, The Church of Norway Council on Ecumenical and International Relations and the Norwegian Church Aid condemn the publication of the caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad.

A Statement received by MECC on 20.02.2008

Text reads:

“The caricatures that have been published in Danish newspapers and in the Norwegian newspaper Agderposten have an offending impact on the religious feelings of many Muslims. Our sympathy goes to Muslims in Norway and in the rest of the world who feel hurt or offended by these drawings. How one interprets the content and function of these caricatures depends on who the interpreter is. We think the publication of drawings that can be understood as a scorn of religious symbols is unwise and demonstrates a lack of respect – especially when it affects religious minorities.

Freedom of speech is one of the fundamental human rights. Hence we recognize the right to print the drawings and condemn those who meet these publications with violence. On the other hand, freedom of speech entails the right to freely declare the opposite argument if one disagrees with a statement. As representatives for the religious majority in Norway we feel a particular responsibility to speak up about what we think about insulting people of other faiths.

Critique of religions can be good and necessary, and we feel that religions can benefit from relating itself to critique - both internal and external. However, we do not see that the caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad constitute neither good nor constructive religious critique”.

MECC GENERAL SECRETARY  VISTS THE ARCHBISHOP OF CYPRUS

On Saturday the 23rd of February, MECC General Secretary met with His Beatitude Chrysostomos II Archbishop of Cyprus to thank him for the support that the Archbishop had provided for the MECC 9th General Assembly, which was held in Cyprus. Present in that meeting were two Executive members: Bishop Anba Bishoy from Egypt, and Bishop Nicola Amathnestos from Cyrpus.

MECC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE WILL MEET IN MARCH

The MECC Executive Committee will meet for two days on (5 – 6 March) at the Armenian Orthodox Catholicosate in Antelias – Beirut. High on the agenda of the meeting is the issue of MECC restructuring, election of the new Associate General Secretaries (representing 3 families of churches), election of the MECC representatives on the DSPR Central Committee (4 of them), approving the MECC four years action plan which is developed by the Units and Departments, and approving the financial budget for the next four years.

For further information contact: guirgissaleh@cybeia.net.lb

Annex

REPORT

 

The Fifth Meeting of the International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue Between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches Maarrat Saydnaya, Syria, January 27 to February 2, 2008

The fifth meeting of the International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches took place at St Ephrem Syrian Orthodox Monastery in Maarrat Saydnaya, Syria, January 27 to February 2, 2008, at the kind invitation of His Holiness Patriarch Ignatius Zakka I Iwas of the Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch and All the East. The meeting was chaired jointly by His Eminence Cardinal Walter Kasper, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and His Eminence Metropolitan Bishoy of Damiette, General Secretary of the Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church.

Joining delegates from the Catholic Church were representatives of the following Oriental Orthodox Churches: the Coptic Orthodox Church, the Syrian Orthodox Church, the Armenian Apostolic Church (Catholicosate of All Armenians), the Armenian Apostolic Church (Holy See of Cilicia), and the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Representatives of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church and the Eritrean Orthodox Church were unable to attend.

The two delegations met separately before the first plenary session, which took place on January 29. The bulk of the meeting was devoted to the examination of a draft document produced by the drafting committee, entitled “Nature, Constitution and Mission of the Church.” There was broad agreement about the main lines of the draft document. The drafting committee will elaborate the document in the light of the discussion at this plenary session and present a revised text at the next meeting. The document mentions points for further study and discussion that will be taken up in future meetings.

 
In addition, papers were presented by His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian and by Rev. Fr. Frans Bouwen on the goal of our dialogue. Each day began with a prayer service using material that had been produced for the 2008 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Special prayers were offered for the repose of the soul of His Beatitude Archbishop Christodoulos of the Orthodox Church of Greece, who passed away on January 28.

 
On the morning of January 30, His Holiness Patriarch Ignatius Zakka I Iwas invited the two other Patriarchs in Damascus to meet the dialogue members. These were His Beatitude Ignatius IV Hazim, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All  the East, and His Beatitude Gregory III Laham, Greek Catholic Melkite Patriarch of Antioch and All the East. His Excellency the Apostolic Nuncio to Syria, Archbishop Giovanni Battista Morandini, also was present. During this encounter the Syrian Orthodox Patriarch spoke about the new ecumenical relationship that has existed between Catholics and Oriental Orthodox in recent decades, and pointed in particular to the Joint Statement on Pastoral Issues signed by himself and His Holiness Pope John Paul II in 1984, noting that the agreement provided for cooperation saying that “by cooperating in priestly formation, that is, by sharing facilities in regard to the education of the clergy and having the service of professors of theology from either church, we hope that we will be able to understand each other better and that would help to bring us much closer. Now, with the formation of the official Catholic-Oriental Orthodox Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue, I believe that the way has been cleared for better relationships between the Roman Catholic Church and not only my Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch, but the whole family of the Oriental Orthodox Churches. And may the prayer of our Lord Jesus Christ, ‘that they may all be one; even as Thou, Father, art in me, and I in Thee, that they also may be in us,’ (St. John 17:21) be fulfilled in all of us.”

On the morning of January 31, His Holiness the Syrian Orthodox Patriarch and His Eminence Walter Cardinal Kasper were received by His Excellency Dr. Bashar Al-Assad, President of the Syrian Arab Republic. His Eminence Metropolitan Bishoy was unable to attend for health reasons. The Patriarch and Cardinal were kindly received, and the President expressed a lively interest in promoting good relations between Christians and Muslims, and fraternal relations and cooperation among the various Christian churches. The importance of the Christian presence in the Middle East was emphasized. The Patriarch and the Cardinal expressed their gratitude for Syria’s reception of many refugees from Iraq, and for promoting conditions in which Christians can live in religious freedom in this country.

 
On the evening of January 31, the members of the commission attended a concert in the patriarchal cathedral. The program was presented by the Damascus Symphony Orchestra and the combined choirs of St. Ephrem’s Seminary and the patriarchal church in Damascus. The event was followed by a banquet in the seminary that was attended by government officials as well as Muslim and other Christian leaders.

 
The members of the International Dialogue were most grateful to His Holiness the Syrian Orthodox Patriarch for his very generous hospitality during the meeting at St. Ephrem Monastery, and to the members of the monastic community, the nuns and the patriarch’s staff for doing so much to promote a cordial atmosphere for the meeting.

 
The sixth meeting of the International Commission will be hosted by the Catholic Church in Rome in January 2009. The day of arrival will be January 24 or 25, enabling the members to take part in the Vespers Service at St. Paul’s Outside the Walls Basilica for the conclusion of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The two delegations will meet separately on Monday January 26. January 27, 28, 29 and 30 will be set aside for plenary sessions, with departures on Saturday January 31. At this session work will continue on the common statement on ecclesiology, and each side will present one paper “The Exercise of Communion among the Churches in the First Five Centuries” and another paper “Reception of Councils in the First Five Centuries.”

Ma’arat Saydnaya, Damascus – Syria, February 2, 2008

 Contact:  MECC International Ecumenical Relations

Tel: +961 1 353938

E-mail: mecc@cyberia.net.lb

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