Professor Dr. Michel Abs

Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

In a period when humanity prepares to receive the Child of the Incarnation, who will change the face of the world, we must pause to consider the state of children worldwide. Evil is rampant, and various vices are spreading; most affected are the children—the weakest link in society.

The condition of children today is unworthy of an era where the culture of human rights has become widespread, protection systems for all social groups are increasing, and the media records even the smallest events in collaboration with social media networks.

Despite most of the world's countries accepting the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the state of childhood is not well. In fact, it is in a deplorable situation that calls for raising global awareness, in addition to enacting new legislation that fulfills this purpose. It is also essential to establish new organizations, in addition to those currently existing, specialized in the various crises that childhood suffers from.

If we were to list the various calamities that afflict childhood, the list would be long, and what remains hidden is even greater.

Children have become the least protected "human commodity" and are most exposed to harm—even from those closest to them. They are subjected to domestic violence, sexual assault, economic exploitation, involvement in wars, drug trafficking, pickpocketing and theft, prostitution, being placed with employers under slavery-like contracts, forced marriage, and other practices carried out by a society immersed in materialism where the values of mercy and compassion for the weak have vanished…

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Dr. Michel Abs congratulated Mr. Nicolás Rosenthal on the occasion of his election as Moderator for the new Governing Board of the ACT Alliance international organization. The election was made during the 4th General Assembly of ACT, which was held between October 28 and November 1 in the Yogyakarta region - Indonesia.

Professor Dr. Abs also wished Mr. Nicolás good health and success in his new Ecumenical and humanitarian mission, especially in light of all the great challenges facing societies, praising his competencies and experiences in the humanitarian field and the Christian service which is necessary today for the witness to Jesus Christ and the emergency response to the needs of our wounded world.

The Secretary General Professor Dr. Abs mentioned that Rosenthal's election is a new opportunity to strengthen the relations between the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) and ACT Alliance, as well as the bonds of love that bring them together in working with an ongoing partnership since many years for the good of humanity and societies.

Father Charbel El Khoury, the Parish Priest of Our Lady - Amchit, Lebanon delivers a word via video on the occasion of the launching of “The Platform of the Word” at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) in partnership with Télé Lumière and Noursat TV Channel. He was interviewed by the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, Responsible of the Platform, and Coordinator of the Church and Media Relations at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC).

Dr. Jacqueline Ayoub, Professor of Clinical Psychology at the Lebanese University, delivers a word via video on the occasion of the launching of “The Platform of the Word” at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) in partnership with Télé Lumière and Noursat TV Channel.

Driven by their belief that a school is more than just a building—it's a beacon for the future and a gateway to a better tomorrow—the Service and Relief Department—Diakonia, at the Middle East Council of Churches—is dedicated to providing a safe and healthy learning environment for students. This commitment has led to the renovation and rehabilitation of numerous schools across Syrian governorates.

In Hama Governorate, the council’s team successfully rehabilitated three public elementary schools: Jihad Al-Masri School, Fayez Zamzam School, and Abdul Razak Hassoun School, benefiting 1841 students and staff members.

The renovation included upgrading sanitary facilities and the infrastructure of the sewage system, alongside equipping them with necessary fixtures. The team also repaired the drinking water network, installed faucets and toilets, replaced doors, windows, tiles, and ceramics, and installed water pumps and tanks.

Father Charbel El Khoury, the Parish Priest of Our Lady - Amchit in Lebanon, and the Editor and Pesenter of the “Don’t Be Afraid” program on Télé Lumière and Noursat, visited the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Dr. Michel Abs, on Thursday, November 20, 2024, at the offices of the MECC General Secretariat in Beirut.

During the meeting in which the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, Coordinator of the Church and Media Relations at MECC and Responsible of “The Platform of the Word,” participated, the attendees discussed the MECC strategic directions and future vision. In addition to the programs that MECC is currently implementing as well as the projects it is working to organize in the coming period in order to achieve the desired Ecumenical and humanitarian goals.

The video presents a highlight about the Fourth General Assembly of the ACT Alliance International Organization, which was held in Indonesia, as well as an overview about the activities of the ACT Youth Pre Assembly, in addition to interviews with the General Secretary of ACT Alliance Mr. Rudelmar Bueno de Faria, and the General Secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Reverend Professor Dr. Jerry Pillay.

Photo: Albin Hillert/ ACT

Through its Service and Relief Department, Diakonia, the Middle East Council of Churches continues its efforts to strengthen social and economic stability within local communities. The goal is to provide individuals with the necessary support to improve their living standards in response to current economic challenges.

Operating through its office in Syria, the Diakonia Department has supported many small projects in the Latakia and Tartus governorates via the Livelihood Support Program. This initiative aims to empower project owners and equip them with essential tools for success and sustainability.

A total of 72 projects were supported, spanning various fields. These included a greenhouse, a motorcycle repair workshop, an event decoration center, a mosaic art workshop, a car wash, a candle-making workshop, a local restaurant, and dairy and cheese production. Additionally, there were other small projects addressing local community needs and providing a source of income for their owners.

As part of empowering children and developing their skills, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Syria’s Office, implemented many Psychosocial Support (PSS) activities for 375 boys and girls, in Damascus, Jarmana, Jdaydeit Artouz, Erbeen, and Dara’a. Hence, the video sheds light on these activities, which included life skills sessions, arts, theater, and collaborative games.

With the increase of daily stress due to the worsening security conditions in the Middle East and the world, it has become necessary to raise awareness about the importance of mental health and the need to take care of it.

In this context, the Saint Joseph University (USJ) in Beirut held an international online conference in the field of medical humanities entitled “Fatigue and Exhaustion,” on Saturday, November 2, 2024, with the participation of specialized speakers from various fields and University Professors, and the presence of the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Dr. Michel Abs, as well as experts, researchers and concerned attendees.

Report: 18 November 2024

In the wake of the security incidents that Lebanon is facing as a result of the war raging throughout it, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) hastened to launch a humanitarian campaign with the aim of helping the affected and displaced people in the country to overcome this ordeal and restore their usual lives with dignity. Hence, the Middle East Council of Churches continues its efforts during this emergency period in order to implement its relief and field work in response to the deteriorating humanitarian conditions.

In this context, MECC will be publishing a periodical report under the name of "Rescue Lebanon Update" which will keep you informed about the developments of MECC action as well as the overall situation in a context analysis perspective.

On the Occasion of the 12th Anniversary of His Accession to the Patriarchal See

On the Occasion of the Twelfth Anniversary of the Accession of His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of Saint Mark, and the 118th Successor of Saint Mark, to the Patriarchal See, the Secretary General Professor Dr. Michel Abs extends, in the name of the family of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), his warmest congratulations to His Holiness, wishing him many years of goodness, blessings and holiness.

The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) also wishes His Holiness Pope Tawadros II continued health and success in his Pastoral mission as a father and faithful shepherd of the Church of Christ, asking God to support him in his Ecclesiastical mission and bless his service through his witness to Jesus Christ and journey in the Vineyard of the Lord.

In light of the worsening regional conflicts and their increasing intensity, the war in Lebanon was nothing but a fatal blow for the people of the country, who are facing death, terror, displacement and destruction on a daily basis. The scene is tragic: many families are left without a safe roof to protect them, and there is complete destruction in various Lebanese regions...

Amidst all this suffering, Lebanon is recording an unprecedented rise in the number of internally displaced people, especially in shelter centers where the humanitarian need has become dire and urgent. Therefore, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) hastened to strengthen its field response to heal the wounds of the neediest and most affected people by the security situation, as well as to support them on various material, moral and psychological levels, in order to help them restore their decent means of living.

A few days ago, the world witnessed an outstanding ecumenical, humanitarian, developmental, and cultural event: the convening of the Fourth General Assembly of the ACT Alliance, whose name in Arabic means "Action of Churches Together."

The ACT Alliance and the World Council of Churches (WCC) constitute the two international poles of the ecumenical movement in the world. While the former includes in its membership over 350 churches embracing ecumenism, the latter comprises more than 150 ecumenical development agencies affiliated with these churches.

These two institutions are among the world's most committed and concerned organizations regarding humanitarian issues—from human rights to development, including the defense of all just causes globally. Their history is adorned with achievements on all levels, making them exemplary models for institutions working in this field. Moreover, the positions of both institutions on all complex humanitarian issues are a source of pride for the member churches.

WCC General Secretary Reverend Professor Dr. Jerry Pillay:

“Strengthening relationships and working together in God's work and God's mission in the world is crucial”

At the invitation of the World Council of Churches (WCC), the General Secretaries of regional Ecumenical organizations met online on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, in the presence of the General Secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Reverend Professor Dr. Jerry Pillay.

The meeting aimed to follow up on regional and global developments in Ecumenical and humanitarian work, in addition to exchanging views and experiences on various current and urgent social issues. Noting that the WCC has a particular interest in consulting with regional general secretaries on the strategic directions for engaging the fellowship of member churches and ecumenical partners on a common Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity.

The online meeting was attended by Professor Dr. Michel Abs, General Secretary of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), His Eminence Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, President and General Secretary of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, Reverend James Baghwan, General Secretary of the Pacific Conference of Churches, Reverend Frank Dieter Fischbach, General Secretary of the Conference of European Churches, Reverend Dr. Fidon Mwombeki, General Secretary of the All Africa Conference of Churches, Pastor Peter Noteboom, General Secretary of the Canadian Council of Churches, and Dr. Marcelo Schneider, WCC Programme Executive for Ecumenical Relations and Communication.

Word of the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Dr. Michel Abs at the launching of the Media Production Center “The Platform of the Word”, at the Middle East Council of Churches in partnership with Télé Lumière and Noursat TV Channel.

He who was in the beginning,

And became flesh,

dwelt among us,

And wrote for us the Book of Love,

He who loved His enemies and blessed those who cursed Him,

And defended Himself with resounding silence,

He Who thanked His executioners and forgave them,

He whose blood flowed and watered the soil of the Holy Mountain,

And with Him began the New Testament,

He who drew for humanity the path of salvation from its sin and hypocrisy,

He is the Word!…

Video - Exclusive Interview with the General Secretary of the World Council of Churches Reverend Professor Dr. Jerry Pillay:

“Dialogue must be the way forward and we need to get people together”

The voice of the youth is needed for making change"

The Middle East Council of Churches – Indonesia

Photo: Albin Hillert/ACT

"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in" (Matthew 25 :35). Based on this call from Jesus Christ, serving with love has become an essential and necessary action today more than ever, in order to sow hope in the hearts of those who have tasted the bitterness of wars, conflicts, and crises. Many are striving to embody this call through action, solidarity, and standing by the most vulnerable and neediest people, to heal their wounds and restore peace to their lives. 

In fact, this call was carried by the 4^th General Assembly of ACT Alliance, the main partner of the World Council of Churches (WCC), which took place under the theme "Hope in Action, Together for Justice," from October 28 to November 1, 2024, in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. 

The Middle East Council of Churches participated in this Ecumenical and international developmental event, where there was a meeting with the General Secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Reverend Professor Dr. Jerry Pillay, who spoke in a special interview for the the Middle East Council of Churches’ website about the importance of service with dignity and the need for collective efforts to achieve the long-awaited justice.