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International Ecumenical Relations Email: mecc@cyberia.net.lb November / December, 2007
MECC 9th General Assembly convened in Paphos/Cyprus Under the theme: “So we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us” (2 Corinthians 5:20), Heads and Leaders of Churches in the Middle East, representatives of member churches (Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Catholics and Evangelicals), former Executive Committee members, partners, guests, staff and media assembled at the MECC 9th General Assembly in Paphos/Cyprus (26 – 30 November). The Assembly convened at a time when critical political situations are undergoing in the region. The Presidential vacuum situation in Lebanon, the Annapolis conference for peace, and the insecurity situation in Iraq; which all feed into situations of instability and fear for the people of the Middle East. The presence of Christians, however, is mostly affected by these situations. The Assembly was marked with the nomination of the four Presidents: His Holiness Catholicose Aram I, Catholicose of the Holy Apostolic Armenian Orthodox Church of Cilicia (representing the Oriental Orthodox family of Churches), His Beatitude Theophilos III, Patriarch of Jerusalem & (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 re-elected Mr Guirgis Ibrahim Saleh from the Coptic Orthodox Church as a General Secretary for a second term. The MECC Newsbrief takes this occasion to congratulate him. The Assembly nominated also the twenty representatives from the four families of Churches, who will constitute the new Executive Committee. The Committee will meet in Lebanon (4 - 7 March 2008). Many letters and messages from international and regional partners, organizations, and individuals; both Christians and Muslims were received by the Assembly. In the final communiqué, the Churches present at the Assembly reaffirmed their commitment to unity and their fellowship through the Middle East Council of Churches through prayers, dialogue, and services. The Assembly highlighted the importance of the Christian Presence in the Middle East and the dialogue with the Muslims, as well as their commitment to the restructuring of the Middle East Council of Churches. The Churches expressed their great concern about various land occupations and the perpetuation of the sufferings of the people caused by injustices and wars. The Churches highlighted the special anguish of Christians in Iraq and their forced emigrations from their homeland. They addressed the Annapolis Middle East Conference pleading for a just peace in the region and for the return of the legitimate rights of the Palestinians. The Assembly of Churches is looking forward to the day when the people in the Middle East can live in peace, harmony, and dignity. The Churches called on the Palestinians, the Lebanese and the Iraqis to strive for the safety and the integrity of their respective countries. They urge them to embrace dialogue, and to overcome hatred and violence. They highly appreciated the contribution of the Church of Cyprus in facilitating and hosting this Assembly. (The full text of the Communiqué is attached below)
The MECC General Secretary Paid Congratulatory Visits to the new Presidents of the Council His Holiness Aram I received the re-elected MECC General Secretary Mr. Guirgis Saleh in Antelias on December 4. The director of the Unit on Life and Service Mrs. Seta Khedeshian accompanied the General Secretary. Mr Saleh congratulated the Catholicos on behalf of the MECC for his election as President of the Council. He also briefed the Pontiff on the activities of the Council’s 9th Assembly and the expectations of the member churches. The Catholicos presented his thoughts and expectations to the General Secretary, stressing the importance of reforming the Council and reviewing its projects. He also made a number of important proposals with regard to strengthening the role of MECC in the ecumenical movement. Mr Saleh expressed his gratitude to the Pontiff, who has a rich ecumenical experience as the former Moderator of the World Council of Churches for an unprecedented two terms (1991-2005).
On December 5th, Mr Saleh visited His Holiness Pope Shenouda III to thank him for the four years of Presidency at the Council. Pope Shenouda congratulated Mr Saleh on his re-election and affirmed the continuous support of the Coptic Church to the ecumenical endeavor that the Council is pursuing.
Mr Saleh congratulated also on 10th December His Eminence Archbishop Boulos Matar, the Archbishop of the Maronite Church of Beirut/Lebanon on becoming a President of the Council. Archbishop Matar assured the General Secretary of the support of the Catholic Churches and their commitment to the ecumenical movement in the Middle East.
The MECC 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 which took place on the 16th of November came at the invitation of the Dean of the University Dr Fr Boulos Rohana. The lecture was followed by a meeting with President of the University Dr Fr Hadi Mahfouz.
Jordan Tourism Board a key panel speaker The Panel was moderated by his Excellency Akel Biltaji; it was a cross-section of Jordanian religious, cultural and governmental officials who briefed the group on religion, humanitarian projects, and cultural issues in Jordan. The group was the media representatives of The USA Churches, and Church organizations. The Part of the Group has visited the MECC office Monday Nov 5th for further information about the MECC work and Units. For further information contact: wafa_mecc@go.com.jo
The ICMC the International Catholic Migration Commission /Geneva The (USCCB) United States Conference of Catholic Bishops paid a visit to MECC office in Amman/Jordan on Nov 8th. The discussion went around the MECC work with the Iraqi Refugees in Jordan. The USCCB and MECC are jointly going through an assessment of the Iraqi neediest families, to enable them work with some of the NGOs working in this Domain. For further information contact: wafa_mecc@go.com.jo
Global Ministries Peachtree Assess situation of Iraqis The Director of the Global Ministries Peachtree from the Presbyterian Church of /Atlanta /USA, Ms Marlin Borst visited MECC office in Amman/Jordan on Friday Nov9th to discuss the work and assistance that MECC Amman office is providing to the Iraqis in Jordan. For further information contact: wafa_mecc@go.com.jo
The MECC General Secretary Congratulated the New Anglican Bishop in Cyprus Mr Guirgis Saleh the General Secretary congratulated the new Anglican Bishop Rt Rev Bishop Michael Augustine Owen Lewis, at his enthronement as the fifth Bishop in the Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf. In his greeting message, Mr Saleh acknowledged the dedication of the new Bishop to the ecumenical movement and in obedience to the desire of our Lord for unity, and hoped for continuous relations and cooperation with MECC.
MECC/ACT Appeal was implemented in Syria During November the MECC in Syria implemented the ACT appeal of supporting Iraqi refugees with food supplies. 800 families in Damascus, 200 in Aleppo, and another 200 in Hassake from Christian and Muslim backgrounds received food parcels which contained 15 food items. The relief was implemented in coordination with local churches and Muslim communities. The MECC offices in Damascus and Jordan received the Executive Secretary of ACT and discussed with him the procedures of implementation. For further information contact: laham-s@scs-net.org, rsiriani@scs-net.org
Kurds and Christians reconcile in Malkyieh, Syria
On Friday 2nd
November 2007, the town of Malkyieh in North East Syria, near From: Mar Eustathius Matta Roham, Metropolitan of Jazirah & Euphrates Archdiocese Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch Member of the Central Committee, WCC Email: tnener@scs-net.org Conference on Interfaith Peace Pilgrimage The MECC Program Coordinator of JPHR Ms Alexa Abi Habib 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 released just 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. For further information contact: mecccypr@spidernet.com.cy
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. For further information contact: mecccypr@spidernet.com.cy
Parish Ministers’ Seminar 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 amended to the MECC General Assembly meeting in Paphos. For further information contact: gabrielhachem@hotmail.com
DSPR Held its Second Bi-Annual Meeting in Limasol The Department of Service of Palestinian Refugees of the MEEC held its second bi-annual meeting in Limasol, Cyprus between November 23 - 25. The Agenda dealt with issues of organizational achievements based on the recommendations of the Evaluation and what has been accomplished and what needs to be accomplished further. The Central Committee heard various reports including one from Gaza, whose representatives could not arrive because of the Israeli blockade on the Gaza Strip, which detailed the problems faced by the Palestinian population there and the work of DSPR with the ACT appeal which reaches to thousands of families also in the West Bank. DSPR programs are continuing despite the difficulties and there is an ever vibrant spirit of service that offers courage and empowers people with whom we work. DSPR is confident that its programs and activities are not simply a response to needs but also a way to overcome these causes that lead to the creation of these needs. As specified in its bylaws, membership of DSPR Area Committees in Lebanon, Palestine, Galilee and Jordan and the Central Committee would have to be renewed by the respective Heads of Churches following the MECC General Assembly held in Paphos in late November. The DSPR expects this process to be initiated in coordination with the MECC General Secretary not later than the end of January and to result in the Area Committees and Central Committee which will serve DSPR for the next four years.
From: Dr. Bernard Sabella Executive Secretary DSPR/MECC Central Office, Jerusalem
Church World Service/USA is calling on the United States to increase humanitarian aid in the entire Middle Eastern region Church World Service is pressing the U.S. government to fulfill its 12,000 commitment of settlement in USA, and calling on the United States to increase humanitarian aid in the entire Middle Eastern region and to the United Nations in order to help Iraq’s nearly 4.6 million displaced. Church World Service also is advocating for passage of the Refugee Crisis in Iraq Act, currently in conference as an amendment to the Defense Authorization Bill. The amendment would help Iraqi refugees by prioritizing vulnerable individuals, include Iraqis who are members of a religious or minority community and have close family members in the United States. Final Congressional action – by the joint conference of the House and Senate Armed Services committees – is expected in late December or early January. Church World Service is urging its constituents to advocate with their Senators and Representatives for all these measures to protect displaced Iraqis. As an organization with more than 60 years of experience in refugee resettlement and protection, Church World Service is helping to welcome Iraqi refugees to U.S. communities, and is engaged in several projects of assistance to displaced Iraqis, both inside Iraq and in neighboring countries. For reference: www.cws.org
Ecumenical Formation Study Paper on the Middle East The WCC-Scholarship program in cooperation with the WCC Middle East Desk held a consultation in Amman/Jordan (5 – 8 December 2007), on the theme “Learning Together – Building Capacities”. The Scholarship was established in 1945 to develop churches’ human resources and promote ecumenical formation. The consultation aimed at reviewing the work of the WCC scholarship program in the Middle East and set priorities, criteria of work with churches and establishing a network of national correspondence. A study paper on “Ecumenical Formation in the Middle East” was prepared by Mr Razek Siriani, Director of the Unit on Education & Renewal and former WCC Commission member on Education & Ecumenical Formation. The paper which was presented by Ms Alexa Abi Habib on behalf of Mr Siriani reflected on the perspective of Middle Eastern churches and MECC on the issue of ecumenical formation. For further information contact: rsiriani@scs-net.org
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. For further information contact: rsiriani@scs-net.org, www.meccyouth.org
Right Based Approach an NCA Training Workshop The Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) organized a training workshop in Amman/Jordan from 10th to 14th November 2007. The workshop focused on the Right based approach and on Planning, Monitoring and Evaluating plans of Action. The MECC was represented by four senior staff. Case studies on human rights situation in Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan, Palestine and Iraq were thoroughly discussed and analyzed. Project proposals and a plan of action were accordingly designed with the analysis of problem-situation, the root causes of the problem and the actions taken to find solution on the basis of human rights and the protection of human dignity. "Corruption and Favourism" in Iraq and Lebanon, "Women's Rights with a special focus on Egypt and the Wall in Palestine, were three main case studies during the successful workshops facilitated by Ms Randa Hilal from Palestine. For further information contact: mecccypr@spidernet.com.cy
Accompanying Churches in the Situations of Conflict The World Council of Churches called for a consultation (1- 3 December) at its Headquarter in Geneva which aimed at bringing different Church representatives and activists from regions where Churches are facing different kind of conflict situations. The twenty participants from Asia, Africa, South Asia, and Middle East shared information, stories, concerns and challenges. The consultation will configure the future plan of the program of inter-religious dialogue at WCC and assess a process plan of action for the years to come. His Eminence Avak Assadorian, Archbishop of the Armenian Orthodox Church in Baghdad/Iraq gave an impressive testimony about the situation in Iraq and the challenges of Iraqi Christians as living stones in the midst of a conflict. The participants from the Middle East were: H.E Archbishop Avak Assadorian from Iraq, H.E Archbishop Sebu Sarkisian from Iran, Mr Samer Laham from Syria (MECC Associate General Secretary), and Mr Rafaat Kassis from Palestine. For further information contact: laham-s@scs-net.org
MECC General Secretary and Staff Congratulated MECC Presidents at Christmas On Tuesday 16th of December, MECC General Secretary and fourteen of Beirut staff paid congratulatory visits to His Holiness Catholicose Aram I and His Eminence Archbishop Boulos Matar on Christmas. The two Presidents of MECC thanked the GS and the staff for this gesture wishing them all a blessed Christmas and peace for Lebanon and the world. For further information contact: guirgissaleh@cyberia.net.lb
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 which 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. For further information contact: guirgissaleh@cyberia.net.lb
Relief to Iraqis in Jordan 600 Iraqi family in Jordan from both Christian and Muslim backgrounds received food parcels and another 600 Iraqi children received winter jackets. The relief distribution was carried by MECC-Amman office under ACT appeal. The distribution took place through the local churches and Centers, who assist Christian and Muslim Iraqis since the year 2003. Some Iraqi beneficiaries and the head of centers said that “the distribution of the relief items came in the perfect time as the Muslim Adaha Feast will be on the 20th of December, and Christmas on the 25th”. For further information contact: ntoumeh@cyberia.net.lb, wafa_mecc@jgo.com.jo
Delegation from Presbyterian Church The MECC Amman office facilitated the visit to Jordan of a 12 persons’ delegation from the Presbyterian Church in USA. The visit aimed at dialoguing with churches, Muslim communities and government officials about peace process in the Middle East, the Iraqi refugees’ issue, and the situations of Christians in Jordan. The Director of Amman office briefed the delegation about MECC Relief work done in Jordan for Iraqis as well as a general exposure of MECC Amman office activities. For further information contact: wafa_mecc@go.com.jo
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 which 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. For the full text of the message contact: guirgissaleh@cyberia.net.lb, rsiriani@scs-net.org, www.mec-churches.org
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.
The Ninth General Assembly “So we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us” 26-30 November 2007 Paphos-Cyprus Final Statement The Ninth General Assembly of the Middle East Council of Churches convened in Paphos-Cyprus during the period 26-30 November, 2007 with the theme ““So we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us” (2 Cor 5:20). Present in this Assembly were the four Presidents of the Council: H.H. Pope Shenouda III and their Eminences Archishop Dorotheos, Metropolitan Yuhanna Kolta and Rev. Dr. Safwat el Bayadi, and the Council’s General Secretary Guirguis Ibrahim Saleh. Present also were delegations representing the member churches: The Orthodox, the Oriental Orthodox, the Evangelical and the Catholic. In addition a number of the revered heads of churches in the Middle East participated in this Assembly: The Archbishop of Cyprus Chrysostomos II, Patriarch Mar Ignatios Zakka I Iwas, Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos III, Patriarch Gregorios III Lahham, Patriarch Antonios Naguib, Patriarch Ignatios Boutros VIII Abd el Ahad, Rev. Dr. Salim Sahiouny, Bishop Munib Younan, and Bishop Munir Hanna Anis. Present also were representatives from the Ecumenical Councils in the World and representatives of some ecumenical agencies. The opening session was attended by the Ambassadors of the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Lebanese Republic and the Syrian Republic. A word of appreciation and thanks was first addressed to the Orthodox Church of Cyprus for receiving the Assembly and following up all its works through the presence of its Archbishop, then the participants studied and discussed during four days the General Secretary’s report and learned about the various activities and services carried out by the churches through the Council’s divisions, departments and programs and its offices in Beirut, Cairo, Jerusalem, Amman, Damascus, Limassol, Baghdad and the Gulf. The participants gave their comments and expressed their vision for the coming period and emphasized the necessity to activate the ecumenical partnership in the theological, studies, prayers and services’ dialogue in compliance with the Council’s aims in animating the work towards the unity of the church and its witness in the Middle East and the World. They also emphasized the importance of the dialogue, cooperation and communication with all the Muslims in order to build a more peaceful and just world. The participants also discussed ways for the consolidation of the Christians in the Middle East and strengthening their presence for its developments, advancement and formation of its civilizations. And in order to activate the Council’s work and make it more useful and of greater impact, the General Assembly put forward the question of the administrative structure of the Council for review and up-dating in order for the Council’s work to achieve its aim. The issues in the Countries of the Middle East were present in the prayers, reports and discussions. The General Assembly expressed its deep sorrow for the oppression and injustice with which the region’s population is afflicted, of wars and occupation, of destruction and death, of capacity and suppression. The General Assembly was informed about what befalls the Christians in Iraq, as they are forced to emigrate, their churches are assaulted and their clergy are killed. As people of hope, the participants addressed a message to the leaders’ meeting in Anapolis asking for the realization of the comprehensive and just peace in their region and that the legitimate rights be returned to their owners. The Assembly looked forward to the day when people in the Middle East are liberated from the occupation and the injustice in Palestine, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Sudan and Cyprus, and when the prisoners are set free, then the human being regains his dignity and rights as he was created at the image of God. The participants addressed their Palestinian, Iraqi and Lebanese brothers calling on them to be united and to cease being apart and killing each other so that love fills back their hearts and their unity gets stronger, the unity that accepts the other will all his differences and its straightened through the hones and free dialogue. For all that, the General Assembly called on the churches in the World to stand by her in supporting her requests in all the international circles and before their governments. Finally, the General Assembly elected H.H. Pope Shenouda III an Honorary President to the Council, so we are also elected the Metropolitan Yuhanna Kolta and the Archbishop Theorotheos. The four presidents to the Council were also elected and they are: H.H. Catholicos Aram I, H.B. Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos III, Rev. Dr. Safwat El Bayadi, H.E. Archbishop Boulos Matar. The members of the Executive Committee were also elected. And there was a renewal for the General Secretary Mr. Guirgis Saleh for another term of 4-years. Paphos 30/11/2007 End of Statement.
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) Whether it is by means of poem or through the quotes from the Bible, Christmas is the perfect time to instill in us the messages that Jesus Christ wanted us to follow. The Heavenly angels announced the birth of Jesus to the shepherd near Bethlehem. God’s blessing has worked through our lives to bring forth Jesus “Emanuel”, the Son of God, and to proclaim the Good News to the world. The shepherds were amazed with what they have seen at the stable where Jesus was born. They were filled with love, joy and hope. But they did stop there forever. They went to proclaim the Good News to the world. They became messengers of Jesus Christ the savior. “So we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us” (2 Cor 5:20) was the theme of the 9th MECC General Assembly that took place this year at Paphos/Cyprus. Churches who gathered at the Assembly reflected prayerfully on this theme. With hope Churches and Christians in the Middle East are continuing their journey of witness, hope and love. More than two thousands years have passed when the people in the Middle East were first called “Christians” at Antioch, and cost them a lot of martyrdom, but never ceased doing that in different ways. Churches’ history can tell painful stories of the love and peace that Christ can offer. People in Palestine are suffering for more than half a century from endless occupation, deprived of their rights to have their independent state, and thousands became refugees all around the world without being able to return and see the olive tree which they have planted. Christians of Iraq are threatened, displaced and became refugees in the surrounding countries with little hope to return home. The Lebanese are facing difficult times of ongoing political dispute between parties and denominations which lead people to despair. Yet, the story of the shepherds encourages us to see that there is light above the clouds, and there is hope to witness Christ’s grace in this turbulent world. The joy at the birth of Jesus is always attached with love, humbleness, purity and hope. At this Christmas time, let’s call on God’s grace to bring peace to the world and in particular to the Middle East. Let’s open our hearts to receive Jesus Christ with love. Let’s become the “ambassadors for Christ” in proclaiming the Good News.
May the love of God and the joy of the born Christ be with us all.
Guirgis Ibrahim Saleh General Secretary Beirut 18.12.2007
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