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PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.ArmenianOrthodoxChurch.org/
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
His Holiness Aram I at the Ecumenical and International Consultation on
Syria organized by the World Council of Churches (WCC)
15-17 January 2014, Catholicos Aram I took part in the consultation held
at the WCC in Geneva Switzerland. The participants included religious
leaders from Syria and the Middle East Council of Churches,
representatives from churches from countries of the Action Group for
Geneva I, and other international ecumenical organizations.
The General Secretary of the WCC, Rev. Dr. Olav Fykse Tveit, welcomed
the distinguished participants and explained that the purpose of the
meeting was to prepare a common Christian response to be presented to
the UN-Arab League Special Representative Lakhdar Brahimi when he joins
the current consultation on the last day.
Religious leaders from the region discussed what they expect to come out
of the UN Geneva 2 for Syria meeting on 22 January 2014 in Switzerland.
His Holiness Aram I made the following nine points:
1) the UN Geneva 2 for Syria meeting on 22 January 2014 begin a
transparent and credible peace-building process that responds to the
legitimate expectations of the Syrian people, led by the Syrians and
supported by the UN and the Arab League; 2) armed conflict/violence
cease immediately; 3) the arming of all parties be stopped and prisoners
and kidnapped persons be released; 4) humanitarian assistance to
refugees and internally displaced population be opened; 5) a
comprehensive political and social programme to rebuild the Syrian
society with the involvement of all sectors of Syrian society
(government, opposition and the civil society) be initiated; 6) the
unity and territorial integrity of Syria be kept; 7) the pluralistic
(ethnic, religious) nature of Syria be preserved and co-citizenship
respected; 8) the constitution be revised to guarantee the human rights
of all citizens and empower the civil society. 9) as Christians we speak
with one voice, ready to work with our Muslim brothers and sisters of
goodwill for peace and reconciliation, through mutual forgiveness, and
building mutual trust.
The participants recommended that the points presented by His Holiness
Aram I become the basis of the common statement of the consultation.
During the last session of the meeting His Holiness Aram I welcomed Mr.
Brahimi and transmitted to him the expectations and hopes of the
Christians in their call for action for a just peace in Syria with one
voice. (See WCC story and statement:
http://www.oikoumene.org/en/press-centre/news/joint-representative-for-syria-to-deliver-urgent-call-from-churches-to-geneva-2-talks
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.ArmenianOrthodoxChurch.org/
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
His Holiness Aram I at the Ecumenical and International Consultation on
Syria organized by the World Council of Churches (WCC)
15-17 January 2014, Catholicos Aram I took part in the consultation held
at the WCC in Geneva Switzerland. The participants included religious
leaders from Syria and the Middle East Council of Churches,
representatives from churches from countries of the Action Group for
Geneva I, and other international ecumenical organizations.
The General Secretary of the WCC, Rev. Dr. Olav Fykse Tveit, welcomed
the distinguished participants and explained that the purpose of the
meeting was to prepare a common Christian response to be presented to
the UN-Arab League Special Representative Lakhdar Brahimi when he joins
the current consultation on the last day.
Religious leaders from the region discussed what they expect to come out
of the UN Geneva 2 for Syria meeting on 22 January 2014 in Switzerland.
His Holiness Aram I made the following nine points:
1) the UN Geneva 2 for Syria meeting on 22 January 2014 begin a
transparent and credible peace-building process that responds to the
legitimate expectations of the Syrian people, led by the Syrians and
supported by the UN and the Arab League; 2) armed conflict/violence
cease immediately; 3) the arming of all parties be stopped and prisoners
and kidnapped persons be released; 4) humanitarian assistance to
refugees and internally displaced population be opened; 5) a
comprehensive political and social programme to rebuild the Syrian
society with the involvement of all sectors of Syrian society
(government, opposition and the civil society) be initiated; 6) the
unity and territorial integrity of Syria be kept; 7) the pluralistic
(ethnic, religious) nature of Syria be preserved and co-citizenship
respected; 8) the constitution be revised to guarantee the human rights
of all citizens and empower the civil society. 9) as Christians we speak
with one voice, ready to work with our Muslim brothers and sisters of
goodwill for peace and reconciliation, through mutual forgiveness, and
building mutual trust.
The participants recommended that the points presented by His Holiness
Aram I become the basis of the common statement of the consultation.
During the last session of the meeting His Holiness Aram I welcomed Mr.
Brahimi and transmitted to him the expectations and hopes of the
Christians in their call for action for a just peace in Syria with one
voice. (See WCC story and statement:
http://www.oikoumene.org/en/press-centre/news/joint-representative-for-syria-to-deliver-urgent-call-from-churches-to-geneva-2-talks