The MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs Delivers a Lecture
At the Institute of Coptic Studies - Cairo on the Challenges of Ecumenical Work in Modern Society
You can find some photos at the end of the text.
Cairo-15-3-2024
What is modernity and its components? What are the most prominent characteristics of its society? What are the Ecumenical challenges in modern society and the changes that dominate our lives? These and other topics were addressed by the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Michel Abs, in a lecture he delivered at the Institute of Coptic Studies in Cairo.
The lectures were presented by the Honorary Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Dr. Gergis Saleh, and the Dean of the Institute of Coptic Studies Dr. Ishak Ajban. Attendees were the Vice-Dean of the Institute of Coptic Studies Dr. Adel Fakhry, Head of the Department of Canon Law at the Institute of Coptic Studies, Dr. George Nicholas, and students of the Department of Church, Ecumenical, and Theological Relations in Institute, and Priests.
Firstly, Dr. Ishak Ajban welcomed Dr. Michel Abs, describing him as an intellectual, educated, and open-minded person who enriches the institute and refines its students with values and knowledge.
Afterwards, Dr. Gergis Saleh introduced Dr. Michel Abs, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches, presenting the most important stations of his biography that charts a path of values and a scientific beacon that has no limits.
Then, Dr. Michel Abs spoke at length about modernity in all its human, environmental, social, electronic dimensions, and the challenges of Ecumenism in a modern society that revolves around globalization, the rise of secularism in its wrong concept, racial discrimination, poverty, racism, the conflict of ideologies, and so on.
In the same context, Dr. Michel Abs talked about civilization and the family in modern society, the relationships between people that have become lost, privacy, the unruly ego, and the marginalization of the family.
He also mentioned the ills of modern society and the challenges facing Ecumenism in modern society.
In their turn, the students interacted with the lecture, listened carefully to the extensive explanation, and asked Dr. Michel Abs several questions that led to fruitful results.
At the end of the lecture, Dr. Ishak Ajban presented the lecturer with a Holy Cross as a souvenir.
The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Michel Abs, accompanied by a group of the Institute’s Professors, visited the Technical Department at the Institute and was informed of the students’ work and cultural activities.
It should be noted that the Institute of Coptic Studies is a scientific and educational academic institute specializing in studying aspects of Coptic civilization, heritage, and culture, including: thought, Theology, language, literature, history, society, art, music, and architecture.
It includes thirteen sections that fall into three groups:
A group of Departments of Church Sciences that includes: the Department of Theological Sciences, the Department of Coptic Language, the Department of Coptic Melodies and Music, the Department of Canon Law, and the Department of Church and Ecumenical Relations.
The group of Coptic Heritage Departments that includes: the Department of Coptic Art, the Department of Coptic Antiquities, the Department of Coptic Architecture, and the Department of Eastern Christian Heritage.
As well as, a group of Humanities Departments that includes: the Department of Coptic History, the Department of Sociology and Education, the Department of African Studies, and the Department of Media Studies.
