International Orthodox Christian News

The Executive Committee of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) convened in the Kykko Monastery in Cyprus last week.

The MECC was re-structured in 1970 with the inclusion of the region’s Orthodox Churches. With the participation of Catholic Churches in 1990, the MECC included all the churches of the Middle East. The Council’s General Assembly convenes once every four years. The Council is composed of the executive committee, which includes 30 members, the General Secretary and an 80-member staff. The Council’s headquarters are located in Beirut with offices in Cyprus, Egypt and Amman.

As one of the Presidents of the Council, His Holiness Aram I actively participated in the activities of the executive committee. The Primate of the Diocese of Lebanon, Bishop Kegham Khatcherian, is also a member of the Executive Committee on behalf of the Armenian Church. The Catholicosate also has representatives, both spiritual and lay, in several other committees under the auspices of the MECC. The report of the MECC General Secretary was presented during the opening session of the executive committee’s meeting. The participants discussed the Council’s activities as detailed in the report and its future plans. The committee then listened to over ten reports from the Council’s departments and programmes.

The MECC pays special attention to projects in the spheres of education, social service, human rights, church unity, evangelism and Christian-Muslim dialogue. Following the presentation of reports, the participants in the meeting were divided into four groups, which discussed the activities of the departments and programmes and made proposals for future work. The participants paid special attention to the Council’s financial situation and the serious challenges it faces in this respect. At the end, the executive committee adopted a statement emphasizing the need to strengthen Christian unity, give new impetus to the Christian-Muslim dialogue and pursue a justice-based peace in the region. The executive committee’s next meeting will be held in Beirut.

Source:

http://www.armenianorthodoxchurch.org/v04/doc/English/visitseng.htm#6