His Beatitude Patriarch Anba Ibrahim Isaac Presides Over the ATIME Conference in Maadi’s Seminary, Egypt

"Respecting the Creation, Glorifying the Creator"

Under the theme "Respecting the Creation, Glorifying the Creator", His Beatitude Patriarch Anba Ibrahim Isaac, Coptic Catholic Patriarch of Alexandria, and Head of the Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Egypt, presided the opening conference of the Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East (ATIME), on Monday 24 July 2023, at the Seminary's headquarters in Maadi, Egypt. Noting that the conference will continue its sessions until Sunday 30 July 2023.

The opening session, which you can watch in the following video, was held with the participation of their Eminences Bishops from the Catholic Church in Egypt, along with Monsignor Marcel, Counselor of the Vatican Embassy in Egypt, His Eminence Bishop Michael, from the Coptic Orthodox Church, representing the World Council of Churches, Reverend Dr. Refaat Fikry, the MECC Associate Secretary General, representing the Middle East Council of Churches, Father Bishoy Rasmi, Dean of the Seminary College in Maadi, Archimandrite Dr. Jack Khalil, ATIME’s President, and Dean of the Saint John of Damascus Institute of Theology, and Father Dr. Michael Kanbar, ATIME’s Executive Secretary, Priest and Professor. Attendees in the session were also directors and members of Theological Colleges and Institutes from various countries of the Middle East.

During the session, His Beatitude Patriarch Anba Ibrahim Isaac delivered a speech in which he spoke about the “conference of the Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East (ATIME).” His Beatitude said that “we meet today, by the Spirit of God,” stressing the need for “human respect for nature, which leads to preserving his humanity.”

In addition, the opening session included a speech from Father Bishoy Rasmi, and a speech from Archimandrite Dr. Jack Khalil, as well as other words from the participating audience.

It is notable that the conference of the Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East (ATIME), includes many sessions, in addition to lectures, meetings, visits to different personalities, and various activities.