MECC Presidents Meeting discussed strategies to face the various challenges

The MECC Presidents Meeting, called for by the Secretary General Dr. Souraya Bechealany was held at the Patriarchal Monastery of Saint Elias Shwayya on the 29th of August 2019, graciously received by his Beatitude Patriarch John X.

Along with His Beatitude Youhanna X Yazigi, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and MECC President of the Council for the Orthodox Family, the meeting was attended by His Holiness Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church, His Beatitude Cardinal Mar Louis Raphael Sako, Patriarch of Babylon for Chaldeans and MECC President for the Catholic Family, and Right Reverend Dr. Habib Badr, President of the National Evangelical Union of Lebanon and MECC President Council for the Evangelical Family.

The meeting was also attended by members of the Council's Strategic Support Group, namely, His Excellency Bishop Paul Sayah, Dr. Jean Salmanian and Dr. Michel Abs.

The participants discussed issues relating to the Christian presence in the Middle East, and ways of facing the various challenges, to protect the dignity of the human being in the Middle East and to consolidate the concept of citizenship in the region. The Secretary General outlined the strategies that the Council will adopt to achieve this, through an integrated project based on a unified vision among all ecclesial families. Moreover, The Presidents were briefed on the financial and administrative measures taken by the General Secretariat to enhance MECC’s capabilities at the theological, humanitarian and communication level.

 The participants also decided on the venue and date of the next General Assembly of the Middle East Council of Churches and the Executive Committee meeting in 2020.