The Fiftieth Year in Egypt
Dr. Michel E. Abs
Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)
Tomorrow, we head to Cairo to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the Middle East Council of Churches in an event filled with love and meaningful content.
The celebration is under the patronage and blessing of His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, who has always been a strong supporter and advocate for the MECC. The event has been organized as a symposium by the See of St. Mark, which has consistently provided moral and material support, never wavering in its commitment to the MECC’s activities.
The timing of the celebration coincides with Nowruz, the Coptic New Year, which reflects the deep place the MECC holds in the hearts of Egyptian Christian leaders, particularly His Holiness Pope Tawadros II. His Holiness personally oversaw the planning of the event, providing all logistical and material support to ensure its success.
It is important to acknowledge the contributions of the Honorary Secretary-General and the Associate Secretary-General, who have played their part in making this celebration possible.
From the central administration of the MECC in Beirut, we must emphasize that the love and support we receive from His Holiness and the heads of the churches in Egypt are deeply reciprocated. We hold the churches in Egypt, and His Holiness in particular, in the highest regard. We fondly remember the boundless generosity extended to us by the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria and the Evangelical community in Egypt during the highly successful MECC twelfth General Assembly, which they graciously hosted.
Looking ahead, the MECC is planning its administrative return to Egypt to work on future projects, after a long absence from a country that is home to the largest number of Eastern Christians.
The ecclesiastical institutions in Egypt have always been generous in providing everything we need to ensure the success of our work. This steadfast support underscores the deep conviction of the "Church of Egypt" in the importance and value of ecumenical work, as evidenced by their leading role in preparing this celebration.
The Egyptian sphere and its surroundings hold great promise for ecumenical efforts. The region is rich in vibrant Christian communities, and there is a significant need for the kind of activities that ecumenical programs provide. Egypt, as a nation, state, and church, is the ideal setting for launching such work.
May God bless the Church as it celebrates the founding of the Council on its New Year's Day. The love it shows us is something we cherish and strive to be worthy of.