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PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Director
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.ArmenianOrthodoxChurch.org/
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Watch our latest videos on YouTube here:
http://www.youtube.com/user/HolySeeOfCilicia
'THE CHURCHES OF THE MIDDLE EASE ARE CALLED TO SPEAK WITH ONE VOICE'
Stated His Holiness Aram I to the Press
At the end of the planning meeting of the Middle East Council of Churches
(MECC), the Leadership met the press at the Cilicia Museum Hall of the
Catholicosate.
His Holiness Aram I opened the conference with a brief introduction. He said
that unity among the Churches in the Middle East is the priority at this
moment of the history of the region. All churches belong to the Mystical
Body of Christ irrespective of doctrinal differences. They form different
parts of the same Body. The current events in the region urge us to pray
together, reflect together, plan and act together in the service of our
societies. He also said. "The Middle East Council of Churches is neither an
organization, nor an institution apart from the life and witness of the
Churches. It belongs to the Churches and the Churches own the Council." He
then presented and elaborated on the four programmatic priorities as adopted
by the last General Assembly: Education and Formation, Diakonia,
Christian-Muslim Dialogue and Ecumenical Relations.
1. Education and Formation understood not only as giving information,
but as spiritual growth. It should begin at home; continue in schools and
the Church. The MECC programme should prepare the future leadership of
Christian communities of the Middle East.
2. Diakonia is an important vocation taught by the Gospels, hence an
inseparable aspect of Christian life. Churches have historically expressed
their diakonia through hospitals, old peoples' homes, social centres and
other projects. They should be enabled to continue their humanitarian work
to serve the needy in their countries.
3. Christian Muslim Dialogue in the Middle East is part of the daily
experience of the people, unlike other places where it is limited to
theological dialogues. The MECC will reinvigorate its work to promote wider
cooperation among all partners at all levels.
4. Ecumenical Relations to be strengthened among the four families of
churches of the MECC, with Middle East Churches and their Diasporas, as well
as with global and regional ecumenical structures. These relations should be
based on new principles to respond to the challenges of globalization.
Catholicos Aram I then concluded. "The Church can neither be an observer,
nor a follower. The Church is called to participate in all aspects of life
that aim to build justice, promote the inherent dignity of the human being
and human rights. These are not political goals but the core of the Church's
vocation.
After the introduction of His Holiness Aram I, The Syrian Catholic Patriarch
Ignace Youssif III Younan, Archbishop Paul Matta (Maronite), Bishop Costa
Kayal (The Representative of Patriarch Hazim), Rev. Dr. Habib Badr
(Evangelical Churches) and Rev. Dr. Paul Rohanna, General Secretary, Middle
East Council of Churches (MECC) took the microphone and emphasized the
importance of churches working together in the Middle East.
##
Photos: http://www.armenianorthodoxchurch.org/v04/doc/Photos/Photos665.htm#2
*****
__________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signature database 6798 (20120116) __________
The message was checked by ESET Smart Security.
http://www.eset.com
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Director
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.ArmenianOrthodoxChurch.org/
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Watch our latest videos on YouTube here:
http://www.youtube.com/user/HolySeeOfCilicia
'THE CHURCHES OF THE MIDDLE EASE ARE CALLED TO SPEAK WITH ONE VOICE'
Stated His Holiness Aram I to the Press
At the end of the planning meeting of the Middle East Council of Churches
(MECC), the Leadership met the press at the Cilicia Museum Hall of the
Catholicosate.
His Holiness Aram I opened the conference with a brief introduction. He said
that unity among the Churches in the Middle East is the priority at this
moment of the history of the region. All churches belong to the Mystical
Body of Christ irrespective of doctrinal differences. They form different
parts of the same Body. The current events in the region urge us to pray
together, reflect together, plan and act together in the service of our
societies. He also said. "The Middle East Council of Churches is neither an
organization, nor an institution apart from the life and witness of the
Churches. It belongs to the Churches and the Churches own the Council." He
then presented and elaborated on the four programmatic priorities as adopted
by the last General Assembly: Education and Formation, Diakonia,
Christian-Muslim Dialogue and Ecumenical Relations.
1. Education and Formation understood not only as giving information,
but as spiritual growth. It should begin at home; continue in schools and
the Church. The MECC programme should prepare the future leadership of
Christian communities of the Middle East.
2. Diakonia is an important vocation taught by the Gospels, hence an
inseparable aspect of Christian life. Churches have historically expressed
their diakonia through hospitals, old peoples' homes, social centres and
other projects. They should be enabled to continue their humanitarian work
to serve the needy in their countries.
3. Christian Muslim Dialogue in the Middle East is part of the daily
experience of the people, unlike other places where it is limited to
theological dialogues. The MECC will reinvigorate its work to promote wider
cooperation among all partners at all levels.
4. Ecumenical Relations to be strengthened among the four families of
churches of the MECC, with Middle East Churches and their Diasporas, as well
as with global and regional ecumenical structures. These relations should be
based on new principles to respond to the challenges of globalization.
Catholicos Aram I then concluded. "The Church can neither be an observer,
nor a follower. The Church is called to participate in all aspects of life
that aim to build justice, promote the inherent dignity of the human being
and human rights. These are not political goals but the core of the Church's
vocation.
After the introduction of His Holiness Aram I, The Syrian Catholic Patriarch
Ignace Youssif III Younan, Archbishop Paul Matta (Maronite), Bishop Costa
Kayal (The Representative of Patriarch Hazim), Rev. Dr. Habib Badr
(Evangelical Churches) and Rev. Dr. Paul Rohanna, General Secretary, Middle
East Council of Churches (MECC) took the microphone and emphasized the
importance of churches working together in the Middle East.
##
Photos: http://www.armenianorthodoxchurch.org/v04/doc/Photos/Photos665.htm#2
*****
__________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signature database 6798 (20120116) __________
The message was checked by ESET Smart Security.
http://www.eset.com