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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
HIS HOLINESS ARAM I
LAUNCHES THE MIDDLE EAST-ASIA DIALOGUE
ORGANIZED BY THE CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA
His Holiness Aram I today inaugurated a unique Middle East-Asia Dialogue
around the theme, "A Recommitment to Spirituality for Mutual Understanding
and Peace." This dialogue, which brings together around 50 participants from
different religions and communities from both regions, will stress the
essential role played by all religions in the search for justice and peace
in the world today.
In his opening remarks, His Holiness highlighted his main reasons for
organizing the conference:
"The current world is a world of dialogue. The conflicts humanity faces
force nations, religions and cultures to look for solutions through dialogue
and to guide mankind towards justice and peace. Religion should play a
dominant role in today's societies. Unhappily, religion is sometimes used
for political purposes and violence is sometimes committed in the name of
religion. But in its essence and mission, religion is a source of love,
harmony, justice and peace. Therefore, religions should validate their
calling through dialogue and cooperation."
Stressing the importance of the conference, the Catholicos said: "the Middle
East and Asia have been a cradle of religions. However, circumstances have
been such that these religions have remained far from, and have sometimes
even been opposed to, one another. The current initiative is unique, because
for the first time the representatives of these continents have come
together. This event presents an opportunity for mutual recognition and
understanding through an honest and constructive dialogue. The conference is
the start of a process, the purpose of which will be the development of
close cooperation between religions in the region."
The Pontiff then spoke about the uniqueness of religions based in Asia and
the Middle East.
Following His Holiness' opening remarks, Lebanon's Minister of Culture, Dr.
Tarek Mitri, welcomed the conference and its participants and conveyed the
greetings of Prime Minister Fouad Seniora.
After the official remarks Ms Dena Merriam and Teny Simonian introduced the
purpose of the meeting. The first session began with messages and speeches
on the general topic of "Compassion and Tolerance," followed by a discussion
period. The participants in the first session included Father Boulos Wahbe
(Greek Orthodox), the Honorable Master Sheng Yen (Buddhist), His Holiness
Amritanandanayi Devi (Hindu), His Holiness Bour Kri (Buddhist), Judge Abbas
Halabi (Druze), Hares Shahab (Maronite).
The second session, entitled "Prayer: The Heart of Spirituality," was held
in the afternoon. The presentation was followed by discussions with
participants Archbishop Sebouh Sarkissian (Armenian Primate of Tehran), Dr.
Hamid Ahmad El-Rifai (Muslim Sunni), Sister Morin (Hindu), and Metropolitan
George Saliba (Syrian Orthodox).
Ecumenical relations in the international arena has been a key issue on the
Catholicosate of Cilicia's busy and wide-ranging agenda, particularly during
the last decade. His Holiness Aram I's position as Moderator of the World
Council of Churches during the last 16 years and his 30-year contribution to
this movement opened the gates of the international community to this Holy
See.
The main incentive behind the current inter-faith dialogue was the desire of
various circles to learn from the experience of the Catholicosate of Cilicia
and particularly its Head.
##
View the photos here: http://www.cathcil.org/v04/doc/Photos/Photos14.htm
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
mission 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.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
HIS HOLINESS ARAM I
LAUNCHES THE MIDDLE EAST-ASIA DIALOGUE
ORGANIZED BY THE CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA
His Holiness Aram I today inaugurated a unique Middle East-Asia Dialogue
around the theme, "A Recommitment to Spirituality for Mutual Understanding
and Peace." This dialogue, which brings together around 50 participants from
different religions and communities from both regions, will stress the
essential role played by all religions in the search for justice and peace
in the world today.
In his opening remarks, His Holiness highlighted his main reasons for
organizing the conference:
"The current world is a world of dialogue. The conflicts humanity faces
force nations, religions and cultures to look for solutions through dialogue
and to guide mankind towards justice and peace. Religion should play a
dominant role in today's societies. Unhappily, religion is sometimes used
for political purposes and violence is sometimes committed in the name of
religion. But in its essence and mission, religion is a source of love,
harmony, justice and peace. Therefore, religions should validate their
calling through dialogue and cooperation."
Stressing the importance of the conference, the Catholicos said: "the Middle
East and Asia have been a cradle of religions. However, circumstances have
been such that these religions have remained far from, and have sometimes
even been opposed to, one another. The current initiative is unique, because
for the first time the representatives of these continents have come
together. This event presents an opportunity for mutual recognition and
understanding through an honest and constructive dialogue. The conference is
the start of a process, the purpose of which will be the development of
close cooperation between religions in the region."
The Pontiff then spoke about the uniqueness of religions based in Asia and
the Middle East.
Following His Holiness' opening remarks, Lebanon's Minister of Culture, Dr.
Tarek Mitri, welcomed the conference and its participants and conveyed the
greetings of Prime Minister Fouad Seniora.
After the official remarks Ms Dena Merriam and Teny Simonian introduced the
purpose of the meeting. The first session began with messages and speeches
on the general topic of "Compassion and Tolerance," followed by a discussion
period. The participants in the first session included Father Boulos Wahbe
(Greek Orthodox), the Honorable Master Sheng Yen (Buddhist), His Holiness
Amritanandanayi Devi (Hindu), His Holiness Bour Kri (Buddhist), Judge Abbas
Halabi (Druze), Hares Shahab (Maronite).
The second session, entitled "Prayer: The Heart of Spirituality," was held
in the afternoon. The presentation was followed by discussions with
participants Archbishop Sebouh Sarkissian (Armenian Primate of Tehran), Dr.
Hamid Ahmad El-Rifai (Muslim Sunni), Sister Morin (Hindu), and Metropolitan
George Saliba (Syrian Orthodox).
Ecumenical relations in the international arena has been a key issue on the
Catholicosate of Cilicia's busy and wide-ranging agenda, particularly during
the last decade. His Holiness Aram I's position as Moderator of the World
Council of Churches during the last 16 years and his 30-year contribution to
this movement opened the gates of the international community to this Holy
See.
The main incentive behind the current inter-faith dialogue was the desire of
various circles to learn from the experience of the Catholicosate of Cilicia
and particularly its Head.
##
View the photos here: http://www.cathcil.org/v04/doc/Photos/Photos14.htm
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
mission 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.