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Antelias: MESSAGE - Asia-Middle East Interfaith Dialogue

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  • Antelias: MESSAGE - Asia-Middle East Interfaith Dialogue

    Press Release
    Catholicosate of Cilicia
    Communication and Information Department
    Contact: V.Rev.Father 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

    Armenian version: http://www.cathcil.org/v04/doc/Armenian.htm


    MESS AGE

    ASIA -MIDDLE EAST INTERFAITH DIALOGUE

    The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia
    12-14 November 2006
    Antelias, Lebanon


    Religious leaders from Asia and the Middle East came together in Antelias,
    Lebanon on November 12-14, 2006 at the invitation of His Holiness Catholicos
    Aram I at the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilica. His Holiness Aram I provided
    the vision and guidance for this meeting, which was convened so that
    religious leaders from these two regions could get to know each other better
    and begin to develop greater understanding of each other's religious
    traditions.

    Between them, Asia and the Middle East gave birth to the world's great
    religions. And yet until now, there has been little inter-religious exchange
    between these two regions. During this meeting, through panel discussions,
    dialogue and meditation, we sought together ways to build bridges between
    religions, cultures and nations, striving to understand each other's
    concerns and challenges.

    Bridges of faith can provide hope and healing to wounded nations and
    pain-filled people, of which there are too many in our world today. During
    the dialogue, we heard serious concerns from both Asia and the Middle East
    regarding the world situation. We heard of the need to recommit ourselves
    to the spiritual core of our religious traditions so that people and
    societies may translate into daily life the spiritual and moral values
    cherished by our traditions. We also heard of the need for religion to
    provide us with the strength, vision and understanding for reconciliation
    among individuals and communities based on truth and justice. We heard of
    the need for an engaged spirituality, where the deeper meaning of our
    traditions, moral teachings and values can be experienced. And we heard of
    the need to foster a deep respect for the differences that give us our
    distinctive identities, while recognizing the universal values that bring us
    together as a human community.

    Because these issues present strong challenges and because there is an
    urgency felt by all, we dare to move from dialogue and contemplation to
    common action. These small groups of religious leaders from Asia and the
    Middle East have listened intently to one another. Trust has begun to build.
    We have found common ground and acknowledged our differences. We have
    challenged one another and have grown in love, mutual understanding and
    respect. Our beginning, though humble, is strong. We believe there can be no
    turning back! We declare this not for ourselves, but because we fervently
    seek peace for our hurting and war-weary world.

    Therefore, we, the participants in this first, historic Asia-Middle East
    Inter-Religious Dialogue, urge His Holiness Catholicos Aram I to continue
    this pioneering journey by initiating a process and providing a framework
    for deeper exchange. We call for an ongoing effort that will enable the
    spiritual leaders of our regions to come together with a united moral voice
    to address issues of great concern to the world community. A small working
    group can continue this process and create the necessary framework so that
    this effort can grow. In closing, we leave this place agreeing to pray for
    one another and to continue our exchange. Hearing the call for renewed and
    joint spiritual action on the part of the world's faith communities, we must
    and will respond.

    ##
    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.
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