The MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs Writes a Message of Condolence in the Condolence Book at the Holy See in Harissa

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs extended his condolences on behalf of the Council's General Secretariat team at the Apostolic Nunciature in Harissa.

The MECC delegation included the Associate Secretary General Father Nicolas Bustros, and the Media Officer and the Coordinator of the Church and Media Relations at MECC Lea Adel Maamary.

Firstly, the Secretary General Professor Michel Abs assured the Apostolic Nuncio to Lebanon His Excellency Monsignor Paolo Borgia that “His Holiness Pope Francis has left an unforgettable legacy, and his path is full of openness, justice, humanity, and mercy."

Professor Michel Abs then wrote a message of condolence in the condolences book of the Holy See - Harissa.

Who is Cardinal Kevin Farrell Executing this Mission?

Media of The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

Cardinal Kevin Farrell is the most frequently mentioned Vatican figures in the media following the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis to the Heavenly Father on the morning of Easter Monday. Cardinal Farrell was the first to announce the Pope’s passing away in an official statement.

He is the Vatican’s Camerlengo, currently managing the daily affairs of the Holy See, particularly during the Sede Vacante which is the period from the moment of the Pope's passing away until the election of a new Pope. During this time, he also has the right to request financial information from various Vatican departments.

Christ Is Risen… He Is Risen Indeed!

During the time of the Glorious Resurrection, His Holiness Pope Francis left our world after completing his Ecclesiastical and humanitarian mission with great dedication, to move on to the true Resurrection in the Kingdom of the Lord. With this sad news, which the Church received worldwide, the General Secretariat Team of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) gathered in their weekly meeting, where they raised Prayers for the repose of the soul of the Supreme Pontiff, who had always emphasized hope in the Lord Jesus.

The meeting was held at the invitation of the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at the Council's General Secretariat offices in Beirut, with the presence of colleagues from various departments, along with some colleagues who participated online.

The meeting included Prayers prepared by Fr. Antoine Al Ahmar, the Director of the Theological and Ecumenical Department at MECC, as well as readings from Pope Francis' decree calling for the ordinary jubilee in 2025, titled "The Hope That Does Not Disappoint," where he wrote: "Christian hope is this: in the face of death, and where everything seems to end, we are certain that 'life does not vanish, but changes,' thanks to Christ, and by the grace given to us in Baptism."

The Secretary General Professor Michel Abs and an MECC Delegation Meet His Holiness Pope Francis Following His General Audience on Wednesday 8 March 2023

Within the activities of an international conference held in Rome and in which the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) participated, the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs and a delegation from the Council, met His Holiness Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square in the Vatican in Rome, after the General Audience His Holiness gave, on Wednesday 8 March 2023.

During the meeting, the Secretary General Professor Abs and the MECC delegation saluted His Holiness Pope Francis and expressed their appreciation for His Holiness and their intention to ask for an appointment in order to visit His Holiness at a later time.

The MECC delegation included His Eminence Bishop Munib Younan, MECC Honorary President, Dr. Hiba Sharobeem, a Member of the Egyptian Parliament and a University Professor, Professor Laure Abi Khalil, the Coordinator of the “Dialogue, Human Dignity and Social Cohesion” program at MECC, and a University Professor, and Eng. Fadi Nasr, an Expert in social cohesion training.

With the Presence of the Secretary General Professor Michel Abs

On Saturday, April 19, 2025, and on the occasion of Holy Saturday, the Chaldean Eparchy of Beirut held a Holy Mass for the repose of the soul of the Late Dr. Michel Joseph Maamary, husband of the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, in the presence of the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, as well as relatives, friends, and journalists.

The Prayer was presided over by His Eminence Bishop Michel Kassarji, the Head of the Chaldean Community in Lebanon, assisted by Monsignor Raphael Traboulsi, the Episcopal Vicar General, Father Antoine Ghanem, the Antonian Monk, and the Deacons: Dani Cheba, Nawwar Ramo, and Nabil Riad.

Bishop Kassargi delivered a speech that highlighted the significance of the occasion and praised the virtues of the Late Dr. Michel. The service was also attended by Professor Michel Abs, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Journalists, cultural and humanitarian workers, as well as the Widow of the Deceased, his two children, and other family members.

Following the Liturgy, the family received condolences in the Eparchy's salon.

Following Up on Work Updates with Great Hope

The General Secretariat of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) continues its weekly meetings, with colleagues uniting in work, Prayer, and reflection in an Ecumenical and fraternal spirit, praying for peace and justice in the region and the world. Today, the team is living the Holy Week with humility and hope in preparation for the joy of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

In this context, the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs, held the latest weekly meeting on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at the Council’s headquarters in Beirut, with the presence of the General Secretariat team from various departments and the online participation of colleagues from Syria, Palestine, Egypt, and Canada.

At the beginning of the meeting, Professor Michel Abs, delivered, on behalf of the MECC family, a word of consolation, sympathy, and support to the colleague Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, the Media Officer, the Coordinator of the Church and Media Relations, and the Director of the Platform of the Word at MECC, who lost her life partner. He prayed that the Lord, through His Resurrection, would grant her strength and determination in this new chapter of her life.

What Are the Preparations of the Syrian Orthodox Religious Education Center in Qamishli for the Feast of Feasts?

Exclusive: Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” (Romans 12: 12). With the words of Saint Paul to the Romans, youth today walk in an era shadowed by crises and conflicts. Amidst all the challenges surrounding them, they have chosen to hold fast to their upright faith, continuing their Prayers with great hope and believing that Jesus Christ, the Captain of the ship, will not abandon them.

The youth have found in the Church a safe haven and a warm embrace that eases their daily pressures. They are the heartbeat and movement of the Church, both its present and future, as their constant activity within it makes them an inseparable part of it.

Today, they are preparing together for the Feast of Feasts and the Season of Seasons in a journey of Lent and Prayer, each according to their Ecclesiastical Traditions, towards the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. This year, their joy is even greater, especially since all the Churches are celebrating Easter on the same date. So, what are their preparations and what are their aspirations?

The Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) reached out to the brothers and sisters in Qamishli, this vibrant city that brings together different Christian Families, and asked them about their activities during this Blessed time.

Saint Assia the Wise Clinic Center in Aleppo, which belongs to the Armenian Catholic, Syriac, and Maronite Communities, was inaugurated, on Friday 11 April 2025, in the presence of His Eminence Archbishop Boutros Marayati, His Eminence Archbishop Antoine Shahda, and His Eminence Archbishop Joseph Tobji.

The center was renovated with the generous support and funding from the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), and the ceremony was attended by the Council's representative Lamis Makhloul, as well as the management and members of the charity organizations of the concerned Communities, doctors, and staff at the center.

The ceremony was opened by His Eminence Archbishop Antoine Shahda with a short Prayer, followed by a speech delivered by Dr. Rizkallah Malo, who reviewed the steps that led to this achievement. His Eminence Archbishop Boutros Marayati congratulated all the doctors, workers, and donors, especially the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), before cutting a cake to celebrate the occasion.

The ceremony concluded with a speech delivered by His Eminence Archbishop Joseph Tobji, and commemorative photos were taken for this significant event in the history of joint work between the Communities to serve the society.

The MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs in a Lecture at Balamand: “It is essential to preserve heritage and sacred sites. The issue must move within the international conscience, regardless of religious and ethnic affiliations”

As part of the lecture series at the St. John of Damascus - Institute of Theology in Balamand, Lebanon, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs gave a lecture entitled " Witnesses and Martyrs in Anatolia," in the presence of Rt. Archimandrite Yaacoub Khalil, Dean of the Institute and President of the Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East (A.T.M.E), on Wednesday, April 8, 2025, in the Patriarch Ignatius IV Hall at the Institute campus.

The lecture was attended by Directors and Professors from the Saint John of Damascus Theological Institute, along with a delegation of students, Professor Laure Abi Khalil, Coordinator of the "Dialogue, Social Cohesion, and Human Dignity" program at MECC, as well as the MECC Media who conducted many interviews with the attendees, and interested participants in the topic.

During the lecture, the Secretary General Professor Michel Abs mentioned that he began his work on minorities in 1980 and conducted many studies on the massacres of the Syriacs and Armenians. He also researched the massacres of the Antiochian and Anatolian Greeks, which expanded his understanding through various readings. He adopted the term "Antiochian Levant" to describe where the Church was established and where the Apostle Paul's journeys occurred.

The Middle East Council of Churches and its Partners Contribute to Empowering Youth and Developing Their Skills

Believing in the importance of supporting and empowering youth by developing their leadership skills and contributing to building healthy communities, the Theological and Ecumenical Department at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) continues to implement the "Youth Leadership Building" program in Lebanon. A new session of this program was organized in March at the ABTS Moore Center – Mansourieh, with the participation of a group of youth and leaders, accompanied by specialized speakers Reem El Khoury and Abd Zein El Din.

Noting that this program is held in partnership with Youth for Christ (YFC), Kerk in Actie (KIA), Ithraa Center in Lebanon, the Bible Society - Lebanon and the World Student Christian Federation (WSCF).

The day began with light breakfast snacks, offering a moment of fellowship where participants could reconnect and meet one another again. A series of outdoor icebreakers followed, setting a warm and welcoming tone for the day.

As part of supporting rural communities and enhancing food security, MECC team, through its Service and Relief Department – Diakonia, carried out an initiative to distribute winter vegetable seeds and agricultural tools to the residents of Al-Quniyya village in rural Dara’a. The aim was to support family stability and improve economic livelihoods.

A total of 895 families benefited from the initiative, including households where women are the sole breadwinners.

The distributed seeds included: fava beans, garlic, spinach, lettuce, radish, parsley, coriander, and onions. The agricultural tools provided included: shovel, grape hoe, mulch, hose, water tap, garden rake. In addition, the families received Balanced fertilizer, two water tanks and had modern irrigation systems installed to ensure the sustainability of agricultural production.

The beneficiaries also attended training sessions on proper farming techniques, how to deal with plant diseases, and practices that help increase crop yields. Moreover, an agricultural engineer visited the beneficiary families on a monthly basis to monitor the crops and provide necessary guidance to improve production quality.

Father Salim Daccache, Rector of Saint Joseph University in Beirut, inaugurated the Job Fair at the Faculty of Human Sciences campus, in the Damascus Road - Beirut.

The aim of this job fair is to serve as a bridge between students and employers, as well as to encourage individual initiatives and the establishment of private and startup companies.

The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) was present at the job fair, introducing its work, mission, and the opportunities available within its scope.

As part of the Jubilee Year "Hope Does Not Disappoint," the Episcopal Committee for Media Outlets and the Catholic Media Center organized a pilgrimage for journalists to the Monastery of Saint Anthony Qozhaya in Northern Lebanon.

The trip began with a Prayer procession to the Monastery. After learning about the Monastery’s rich and ancient history, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated, and presided over by Bishop Antoine Nabil Andari, the Head of the Episcopal Commission for Media Outlets, with the participation of Monsignor Abdo Abou Kassem, the Director of the Catholic Media Center.

This was followed by a press conference in which Andari spoke about the importance of the Jubilee Year, which carries noble and ethical meanings, emphasizing that every journalist has the responsibility to convey these values in any institution they belong to.

Monsignor Abou Kassem also outlined the upcoming activities for the year, aiming to strengthen hope and love within Christian media work.

After the recitation of the Media Creed, it was signed by all attendees.

As part of its efforts to enhance the capabilities and skills of its team, the Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) participated in a training course for journalists and media professionals on International Humanitarian Law at the Fouad Shehab Command and Staff College in Rihaniye, Baabda.

The training was organized by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Beirut Mission and the Directorate of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights in the Lebanese Army, and under the patronage of the Minister of Information Dr. Paul Morcos. It covered topics related to International Humanitarian Law and the groups protected by it during armed conflicts.

The training also highlighted the work of the International Committee of the Red Cross, in addition to the scope and tasks of international criminal law, how to manage combat operations, and the protection of journalists during armed conflicts.

At the end of the training, certificates were distributed to the participants.

He departs from us in body, the one who carried the See of Saint Mark on his shoulders and in his heart, after a life full of achievements and moments of truth during hard times,

He departs from us in body, leaving behind a legacy of knowledge, leadership, wisdom, and care,

He departs from us in body, the one who has been, in times of distress, a cornerstone, a support, and a reference,

Here is His Grace Archbishop Pachomius, Metropolitan of Beheira, Matrouh, and the Five Western Cities, entering into the Kingdom of the Lord, carrying his unparalleled talents,

This faithful servant was entrusted with much from the beginning, becoming a reference for his Church and community,

This Leader, filled with the spirit of Christ, Who resurrected on the third day, enters today into the world of eternity. His Church and the entire world bid him farewell, saying, May you be blessed for what your hands have done, O fruitful one,

The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), which shares with the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate the sorrow of separation, says to the venerable Archbishop Pachomius, rest in peace, O man of a great heart, for the See of Saint Mark, which you have faithfully guarded and carried with great care, is in safe hands. MECC says to the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria, Christ is Risen!

Preparations for an International Congress on Interfaith Dialogue

What Are the Details?

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, received His Excellency the Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Republic of Lebanon Mr. Rasul Jumaly, and Mr. Yerjan Kalekenov, Minister Counsellor at the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Republic of Lebanon, on Friday, March 28, 2025, at the MECC headquarters in Beirut.

This visit came after the invitation received by the Secretary General Professor Michel Abs from the Chairman of the Senate of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Head of the Secretariat of the Congress of World and Traditional Religions Mr. Mäulen Äşimbaev, to participate in the VIII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, which will be held under the theme "Dialogue of Religions: Synergy for the Future," between 17 and 18 September in the capital of Kazakhstan, Astana.

During the meeting at MECC, Ambassador Rasul Jumaly renewed his invitation to the Secretary General Professor Michel Abs to participate in the Congress, asking him to deliver many lectures on managing diversity in multi-religious, multi-ethnic, and multi-ethnic societies.

In his turn, Professor Abs thanked the Ambassador, commending the importance of the Congress in promoting dialogue, convergence, and building bridges between the various components of society. He also addressed the goals of the Middle East Council of Churches in bridging distances and enhancing love and peace among all. Professor Abs also highlighted the MECC work and its most prominent programs and activities.

Norwegian Church Aid

Enhancing Cooperation in Humanitarian Service

A delegation from the international humanitarian organization Norwegian Church Aid (NCA), which is partner organization with the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), visited the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs, on Friday, March 28, 2025, at the Council's General Secretariat offices in Beirut. The meeting was attended by the Director of the Lebanon’s Office in the Diakonia Department Ms. Nina Hallak.

At the beginning of the meeting, the Secretary General Professor Michel Abs explained the current circumstances that Lebanon and the region are passing through, speaking about the difficult economic and social crises that pose numerous challenges and hinder the normal activity in many areas.

A Webinar Organized by the Middle East Council of Churches

Secretary General Professor Michel Abs: While we find artificial intelligence a means of improving human dignity in some areas, its negative effects are not insignificant, and will gradually become apparent as this new logic sweeps across all areas of life

As part of the “Dialogue, Human Dignity and Social Cohesion” program, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) organized a new webinar entitled "Human Dignity in the Age of Artificial Intelligence", on Thursday, March 27, 2025, with the participation of specialists, academicians, and interested attendees in the topic at hand.

The symposium, which was broadcasted live on the MECC platform, included two interventions, moderated by Professor Laure Abi Khalil, the Coordinator of the “Dialogue, Human Dignity and Social Cohesion” program, who, in her opening speech, highlighted the concept of artificial intelligence and the concerns it poses to the issue of justice and human dignity, which are now facing numerous threats.

The symposium began with a speech delivered by the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs, entitled "Technology, This Enemy Friend." He said, "We must first acknowledge that the elitism produced by artificial intelligence separates people into those who are part of this cultural movement and those who are not, and separates a single society into those who are integrated into this new path and those who are not. This creates a rift and marginalization at both the international and local levels, and separates people as it separates the children of a single society. This is considered the greatest challenge to equal opportunities, which are praised by modern societies that advocate for justice and human rights"…