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International Ecumenical Relations Email: mecc@cyberia.net.lb March, 2006
MECC Presents its Condolences on the Death of Christian Peacemaker Tom Fox and Thanks God for the Release of Fox’s Three CompanionsThe MECC family extends its heartfelt condolences to the family, community and colleagues of Tom Fox. His witness to Jesus Christ will remain in the minds and hearts of Christians in the Middle East. May God rest his soul and bring comfort to his family.
The MECC also thanks God for the release of the three Christian Peacemakers, held hostages in Iraq, Norman Kember, James Loney and Harmeet Sooden, who, like Tom Fox, suffered so that justice and peace be restored.
Christian & Muslim Humanitarian Service Organizations Discuss ‘Humanitarian Service Towards Common Living in Justice and Peace’ A consultation organized by the MECC International Ecumenical Relations, from March 1-2, 2006, in Amman, Jordan, brought together around 30 representatives of Christian and Muslim Humanitarian Service Organizations to discuss how to promote Christian-Muslim dialogue, mutual understanding and common living in justice and peace, through humanitarian service. The topics discussed included the development of a platform/network for dialogue and rapprochement between Christian and Muslim Service organizations, cooperation and mechanisms of collaboration between service organizations as a necessity to promote common living and work for just development and peace, and creating conditions for just development and peace in the Middle East region. Personal testimonies underlined experiences of joint action in different countries of the region that could serve as models of collaboration. Small group and plenary discussions lead to a number of practical recommendations for follow up at regional and local/national levels. Recommendations include the formation of a joint committee between the International Islamic Forum for Dialogue and the MECC to provide the religious and conceptual basis for this “dialogue for life” through joint action in service of all and a working group to coordinate and network on the practical level, to conduct a mapping of Christian and Muslim Service organizations in the region and to establish a code of conduct. At the micro local, the selection of local groups would encourage and promote joint initiatives between organizations. The event was widely covered by the Jordanian media. A detailed report of the Consultation is underway. For more information, kindly contact Ms. Aline Papazian at mecc@cyberia.net.lb
MECC Extends Condolences to the WACC The MECC learnt with deep regret of the passing away of Father Michael Traber on March 25, 2006. MECC extends its sincere and heartfelt condolences to the WACC family and to all those who knew and loved Fr. Traber.
“Brotherly Call” of Chaldean Patriarch in Iraq H. E. Patriarch Emanuel Delly III, Head of the Chaldean Church of Babel and President of the Catholic Bishops in Iraq issued on March 24, a “Brotherly Call” on all Iraqis, Christians and Muslims from all denominations, to pray God to bestow His Love, Mercy and Grace on the children of Iraq. “We have moved away from God and His Will”, says Patriarch Delly, and from “ Fasting, Repentance and Forgiveness. Many of our brothers and sisters have shed their blood and many children have become orphans. Today, we should turn to God and His Will and repent. We call upon all Iraqis, inside Iraq or outside, and on all believers worldwide, to observe two days of prayer and fasting, on April 3 and 4, so that peace, security, stability and love may prevail in Iraq and in the world ”. The Call in Arabic is posted on the MECC website at: www.mec-churches.org
The MECC and the International Islamic Forum for Dialogue (IIFD) Meet to Discuss “Religion and Human Rights and Duties”. This was the theme of the second Christian-Muslim Dialogue Consultation between the MECC and the IIFD, held March 21-22, 2006, in Cairo, Egypt, under the auspices of H.H. Pope Shenouda III and the Great Sheikh Al Azhar, Dr. Mohammad Sayed Tantawi.
The inaugural session gathered over 500 Christian and Muslim religious, political and community leaders. The spiritual leaders of both communities addressed the audience, highlighting that their dialogue focused on what they have in common rather than what differentiates them. They underlined their common interests, issues and concerns stressing that what rejoices one of them, rejoices the other, and what hurts one, hurts the other. Dialogue should be real, honest, sincere and positive. They expressed their wish and their will to reach the unity of minds for the good of humanity.
The MECC and the IIFD presented their respective working papers on the theme during the first session, each from their own religious perspective. The second session was entirely devoted to the in-depth discussion of the two papers, the outcome of which was the agreement on many common points between the Christian and Muslim perspectives.
The Consultation issued a Communiqué underlining the points of agreement between the two organizations and a Call to the United Nations and International Community to join efforts to issue and International Law on the Respect of Religious Diversity and the protection of Religious Institutions and Symbols, affirming that the violation of religious sanctities and symbols have nothing to do with the freedom of opinion and expression, and securing and protecting the peaceful coexistence between communities and eliminating cells of violence and terrorism in the world. The Call and the Communiqué are posted on the MECC website at: www.mec-churches.org
The inaugural session was aired live on all the TV channels of the region for about 3 and half hours, outreaching Middle Easterners in their homes.
The MECC takes this opportunity to thank once again the TV channel Télé Lumière/NoorSat for covering the whole event, outreaching all other regions in the world. For more information, kindly contact Fr. Hady Mahfouz, responsible for the MECC Christian-Muslim Dialogue Program at: hadymahfouz@usek.edu.lb
MECC Executive Committee Meets in Cairo, Egypt The MECC Executive Committee met from March 23-24, 2006, in Cairo, Egypt. Items on the agenda included the election of the 4th MECC President replacing Patriarch Ireneos, issues related to the amendment of the MECC Constitution, the reports of the General Secretary and different staff, the financial statements, and the Proposed Strategic Planning and Evaluation Process. The Committee decided to deploy efforts for local fundraising for the Council.
A major decision taken by the Committee is the approval of the Proposed Strategic Planning and Evaluation Process to be conducted by the MECC with the help of a team of consultants, leading to the programmatic and organizational restructuring of the Council.
The MECC Executive Committee also welcomed the appointment by the Orthodox family of H.E. Archbishop Dorothius of Apela as President of the Middle East Council of Churches. The MECC extends warm congratulations to His Eminence Archbishop Dorothius.
The next meeting of the MECC Executive Committee was scheduled March 1-2, 2007, and will focus on the preparations of the next MECC General Assembly, to take place end of 2007.
MECC Welcomes the National Council of Churches (USA) Initiative and Statement Regarding Abu Ghraib Prison and Guantanamo Bay Camp The MECC received with appreciation the statement issued by Rev. Dr. Bob Edgar, Secretary General of the NCC-USA urging the US Government to use the closing of Iraq’s Abu Ghraib Prison as an opportunity to renew the American nation’s resolve not to use torture and abuse as defense weapons, and to close “another dark icon of history”, the Guantanamo Bay retention camp in Cuba. “This is the urgent call of civilized nations around the globe” says Dr. Edgar and the “urgent call of Americans who love their country and all that it stands for”. The statement can be viewed on the MECC website at: www.mec-churches.org
Women’s World Day of Prayer The Day of Prayer was prepared this year by the women of South Africa. The MECC Women’s Program organized two Days of Prayer in Beirut, Lebanon. The first was held on March 3, 2006, in English, at the Near East School of Theology (NEST), and the second in Arabic, at the Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon on March 4.
Over 100 participants attended each event. Funds collected on those days were donated to the new YWCA shelter for battered women in Beirut. For more information, kindly contact Ms. Maha Milki Wehbe at: mmilki@hotmail.com
Welsh Church Delegation in Lebanon and Syria A delegation of eight from the National Council of Churches of Wales (CYTUN) visited Lebanon and Syria, from March 15-26, 2006. The visit aimed at learning more about Christian-Muslim relations, dialogue and coexistence in the two countries and their implications for the region, the situation in each of Lebanon and Syria, and at deepening relations and fellowship with the Middle East Council of Churches.
The delegation representing Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox Churches in Wales included senior spiritual leaders and members of the European Parliament, and was lead by Rev. Chrisopher Gillham from the Congregational Federation in Wales. In Lebanon they met with H.H. Catholicos Aram I and H.E. Cardinal Mar Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir as well as other church and community leaders, and MECC senior staff. They also paid a visit to the British Embassy in Beirut, the Khiam Prison in the South of Lebanon, and the Palestinian camps of Sabra and Chatilla.
In Syria, the delegation met with the President of Syria, Heads of churches, the Grand Mufti, other officials, as well as church and community leaders. The visit aimed at acknowledging Christian-Muslim Coexistence in Syria and at supporting Syria’s role in building peace in the region.
Women and the Culture of Peace A one-day seminar organized by the MECC Women’s Program on March 10, 2006, in Cairo, Egypt aimed at promoting and disseminating the culture of peace, and highlighting the role of women as peacemakers. 120 participants, Christians and Muslims, women and men, heard about the concept of peace in Christianity and Islam, peace versus fundamentalism, the latter ultimately leading to violence. Violence in family life and women and children’s rights in the Egyptian civil law were also discussed.
Participants recommended that the documents presented at the seminar be published and the issue be followed up through other similar seminars. In his opening word, MECC General Secretary underlined the role of women, as mothers, wives, daughters and sisters, the educators who raise and propagate principles and values of love, and who build communities and societies. “Peace”, said Mr. Saleh, “is a way of life, with God, the others and oneself”. For more information, kindly contact Unit Director, Razek Siriani at: rsiriani@mail.sy
MECC General Secretary Visits Churches in KuwaitMECC General Secretary paid a visit to the churches in Kuwait, from March 26-30, 2006. On this occasion, he met with the Executive Committee of the newly formed Fellowship of Churches of Kuwait, to discuss the Fellowship’s association and relation with the Middle East Council of Churches. Mr. Saleh also met with Muslim religious leaders accompanied by several Heads of churches. Throughout the meetings, discussion focused on Christian-Muslim Dialogue and cooperation in the Gulf area.
During his meetings with Rev. Rolf Pearson, MECC Gulf Liaison and Rev. Michael Boss, director of the Al Amana Ecumenical Center, MECC General Secretary discussed ways and means of enhancing MECC work in the Gulf States and collaboration with Al Amana.
The MECC NewsBrief takes this opportunity to wish a Happy Easter to all its readers, partners and friends. Christ is Risen!! Indeed He is Risen!!
MECC Calendar of Events April 2006
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