A Meeting Between the WCC Secretary General Reverend Professor Dr. Jerry Pillay and His Beatitude Patriarch Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian
Building Bridges, Standing Together
The Secretary General of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Reverend Professor Dr. Jerry Pillay visited His Beatitude Patriarch Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian, Catholicos of the Armenian Catholic Church of Cilicia, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) for the Catholic Family, on Friday 22 March 2024, at the Headquarters of the Patriarchate in Achrafieh. (All Photos)
The visiting delegation included the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Dr. Michel Abs, the MECC Associate Secretary General Mrs. Seta Hadeshian, an MECC team, and the WCC Programme Executive for the Middle East Mrs. Carla Khijoyan. As well as, the Responsible of the Public Relations at the Patriarchate Mr. Charbel Bastoury attended the gathering.
During the meeting, His Beatitude Patriarch Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian spoke about the difficult circumstances that the Middle East is going through, highlighting the urgent needs that its people are striving for at various levels. His Beatitude also talked about the repercussions of the siege imposed on Artsakh and consequently the suffering of the people of this region who are searching for a decent life. On the other hand, His Beatitude mentioned the importance of the Ecumenical work, as well as solidarity and dialogue together.
Reverend Professor Dr. Jerry Pillay listened to the aspirations of His Beatitude Patriarch Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian and his concerns regarding the challenges surrounding Christians, expressing his solidarity with the people of the region and raising his prayers for peace in the whole world. As well as, Reverend Professor Dr. Jerry Pillay emphasized the need to uphold faith and determination to walk together towards a brighter future.
Hence, the meeting was an opportunity to exchange point of views and experiences on various Theological, Ecumenical, social and humanitarian topics and issues of concern to all attendees.