The Executive Committee of the Middle East Council of Churches Holds Its Regular Meeting On Its First Day
On the Agenda Are the Latest Harsh Developments Happening in the Region
The Executive Committee of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) held its regular meeting in Beirut on its first day, on Friday 17 November 2023, and will be continued on Saturday 18 November 2023. Hence, the Executive Committee discusses the difficult circumstances that the region is witnessing, especially the ongoing war in Gaza. The meeting’ sessions started with a minute of silence for the souls of the martyrs who fell in Gaza, raising Prayers on the intention of peace, ending wars, and healing the wounded. The agenda also includes a follow-up to the spiritual, administrative and financial MECC affairs, especially the preparations taking place for the celebration of the 50-Year Jubilee of the MECC founding.
Attendees are Reverend Dr. Paul Haidostian President of the Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East, President of Haigazian University in Lebanon, and MECC President for the Evangelical Family, His Grace Anba Antonios, Metropolitan of Jerusalem and the Near East for the Coptic Orthodox Church, and MECC President for the Eastern Orthodox Family, His Eminence Metropolitan Antonios Al Soury Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of Zahleh, Baalbek, and Dependencies, representing His Beatitude John X Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and MECC President for the Orthodox Family, His Eminence Archbishop Boutros Marayati Armenian Archbishop of Aleppo, representing His Beatitude Patriarch Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian Catholicos of the Armenian Catholic Church of Cilicia and MECC President for the Catholic Family, His Eminence Archbishop Daniel Kourieh Syriac Orthodox Archbishop of Beirut, representing His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church and MECC Honorary President, His Eminence Monsignor Habib Mrad Curator General and Secretary General of the Syriac Catholic Patriarchate, representing His Beatitude Mar Ignatius Youssef III Younan, Syriac Catholic Patriarchate of Antioch, Reverend Dr. Habib Badr President of the National Evangelical Union in Lebanon and MECC Honorary President.
As well as, attendees in person and online were the members of the Executive Committee, Their Eminences the Bishops and Fathers, from various countries in the Middle East who are representatives of the MECC Church Families, the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, the MECC Associate Secretary General Father Dr. Nicolas Bustros, the MECC Associate Secretary General Mrs. Seta Hadeshian, and the MECC General Secretariat’s team.
Following the opening Prayer, the first day started with a first session moderated by Reverend Dr. Paul Haidostian, President of the Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East, President of Haigazian University in Lebanon, and MECC President for the Evangelical Family. During the session, the validation of the Quorum was made, as well as the designation of the Recording Secretaries and the Final Statement Drafting Committee. In addition, the meeting’s agenda and the minutes of the previous Executive Committee meeting which was held on 28 and 29 November 2022, were approved.
Afterwards, the meeting of the nominations committee was held, Then, the new members of the Executive Committee were appointed, as well as the Executive Secretary of the MECC Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees (DSPR), and the MECC Finance Director.
After the break, the second session began and was moderated by His Eminence Archbishop Antonios Al Soury. During the session, the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs presented his report which included the most important activities he made at various levels, as well as the tasks he accomplished in order to achieve the desired Ecumenical and humanitarian goals. Moreover, the reports of the MECC Departments were also presented, which included its achievements and the projects that will be implemented in the future on the Theological, Ecumenical, humanitarian, relief and media sides, in addition to the financial report and the future prospects of sustainability.
Then, the program of the 50-Year Jubilee of the founding of the Middle East Council of Churches which will be celebrated in 2024, as well as the preparations for this MECC historic occasion were presented. The first day ended with a closing Prayer.