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PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V. Rev. Fr. Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.cathcil.org/
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
HIS HOLINESS ARAM I
OUTLINES BEFORE AN INTERNATIONAL
CONFERNECE THE CHALLENGES FACING
ECUMENISM IN 21st CENTURY
ANTELIAS, LEBANON - The implications to the ecumenical movement of
tremendous changes taking place in the world have prompted the World Council
of Churches to initiate a common process of reflection. The first meeting of
this process aimed at redefinition of ecumenical vision and reconfiguration
of ecumenical structures was convened at the Armenian Catholicosate in
Antelias, Lebanon, from 17-21 November 2003. As part of the same process the
WCC organized an international conference in Geneva, from 13 November to 3
December 2004, with the participation of representatives from Vatican,
member churches of the Council, the ecumenical partners and organizations.
As Moderator of the Central Committee of the WCC, His Holiness Aram I in his
keynote address described the process as "ecumenism in transformation". He
said: "The ecumenical movement is called to renew and redefine its nature,
its goals and vision through a self-critical approach and in response to the
global changes and challenges. If this is not done, the ecumenical movement
may soon find itself stalemated". Catholicos Aram outlined the challenges
facing the ecumenical movement in seven points: a balanced approach to
"movement" and "institution"; is the "oneness" of the ecumenical movement in
jeopardy? fellowship-oriented ecumenism facing challenges; broadening the
ecumenical partnership is a must; towards people's ecumenism: strategy and
vision; a responsive and prophetic ecumenical vision; "being church": a
central ecumenical issue.
As conclusion to his lecture, His Holiness Aram I posed a critical question:
"What kind of church do we want to have for 21st century: a church that
lives within its established walls, self-contained and self-content, or a
church engaged in the daily struggle of its people, in critical and creative
interaction with the society, and bold enough to face the challenges of new
times? Then His Holiness went on to say: "These developments call the
churches and the actors in the ecumenical movement to reconsider the
ecclesiological and missiological perceptions that have defined the churches
' doctrinal positions and their attitudes towards each other and towards the
society at large. In fact, new ways of "being church" will help us to
discover new ways of working together ecumenically, and vice versa. The
ecumenical movement must constantly grapple with these issues and assist the
churches in their struggle of "being church" in a new context".
##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Ecumenical
activities of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, http://www.cathcil.org/ The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V. Rev. Fr. Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.cathcil.org/
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
HIS HOLINESS ARAM I
OUTLINES BEFORE AN INTERNATIONAL
CONFERNECE THE CHALLENGES FACING
ECUMENISM IN 21st CENTURY
ANTELIAS, LEBANON - The implications to the ecumenical movement of
tremendous changes taking place in the world have prompted the World Council
of Churches to initiate a common process of reflection. The first meeting of
this process aimed at redefinition of ecumenical vision and reconfiguration
of ecumenical structures was convened at the Armenian Catholicosate in
Antelias, Lebanon, from 17-21 November 2003. As part of the same process the
WCC organized an international conference in Geneva, from 13 November to 3
December 2004, with the participation of representatives from Vatican,
member churches of the Council, the ecumenical partners and organizations.
As Moderator of the Central Committee of the WCC, His Holiness Aram I in his
keynote address described the process as "ecumenism in transformation". He
said: "The ecumenical movement is called to renew and redefine its nature,
its goals and vision through a self-critical approach and in response to the
global changes and challenges. If this is not done, the ecumenical movement
may soon find itself stalemated". Catholicos Aram outlined the challenges
facing the ecumenical movement in seven points: a balanced approach to
"movement" and "institution"; is the "oneness" of the ecumenical movement in
jeopardy? fellowship-oriented ecumenism facing challenges; broadening the
ecumenical partnership is a must; towards people's ecumenism: strategy and
vision; a responsive and prophetic ecumenical vision; "being church": a
central ecumenical issue.
As conclusion to his lecture, His Holiness Aram I posed a critical question:
"What kind of church do we want to have for 21st century: a church that
lives within its established walls, self-contained and self-content, or a
church engaged in the daily struggle of its people, in critical and creative
interaction with the society, and bold enough to face the challenges of new
times? Then His Holiness went on to say: "These developments call the
churches and the actors in the ecumenical movement to reconsider the
ecclesiological and missiological perceptions that have defined the churches
' doctrinal positions and their attitudes towards each other and towards the
society at large. In fact, new ways of "being church" will help us to
discover new ways of working together ecumenically, and vice versa. The
ecumenical movement must constantly grapple with these issues and assist the
churches in their struggle of "being church" in a new context".
##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Ecumenical
activities of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, http://www.cathcil.org/ The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.