Emphasizing the Role of the Church in Humanitarian Issues’ Response

Alexandria 16-3-2024

No one disagrees that human rights issues are among the most important issues that the Middle East Council of Churches addresses and looks forward to, and in confirmation of this, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Michel Abs met with a Member of the Parliament of Egypt and Activist in the field of people with special needs Dr. Nada Thabet, in Alexandria.

During the meeting, Dr. Michel Abs praised the role played by Dr. Nada Thabet towards people with special needs, as she raised her voice in seeking justice for these people who, despite their weakness, proved that they are people filled with limitless creativity and talent. Therefore, Dr. Nada Thabet took the highest cause of her life as the cause of these people.

A Meeting Confirming that MECC Bears Witness to the Truth

Alexandria, 16-4-2024

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Michel Abs continued his visit to the Arab Republic of Egypt on the occasion of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, and in preparation for the activities of the MECC Fiftieth Year.

In Alexandria, the Secretary General, Dr. Michel Abs, visited with a delegation from the Council, Bishop Pavli, the Assistant of His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See Saint Mark, for Al Mountazah Sector and the Youth Service Officer in Alexandria, Bishop Hermina, General Bishop of the Eastern Sector, and Dr. Hiba Sharobim, Member of the Egyptian Senate, at the Archdiocese Headquarters - Alexandria.

Word Praising the Council’s Work and Its Future Aspirations

Alexandria, 16-3-2024

As part of his tours and meetings in the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Michel Abs, and an MECC delegation visited His Beatitude Pope Theodoros II, Greek Orthodox Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, at the headquarters of the Patriarchate - Alexandria.

The MECC delegation included the Honorary Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches Dr. Gergis Saleh, the Associate Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches Reverend Dr. Refaat Fikri, the Communication Coordinator in Church Media Relations the journalist Lea Adel Maamary, and students from the Institute of Coptic Studies - Department of Ecumenical Relations.

The MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs was received by His Beatitude Pope Theodoros II, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, and the Patriarchal Agent His Eminence Metropolitan Narcissus, Metropolitan of Port Said.

At the Institute of Coptic Studies - Cairo on the Challenges of Ecumenical Work in Modern Society

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.

An Invitation to Everyone Towards Establishing the Garden of Joy

Assiut, 15-3-2024

At the invitation of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) and in cooperation with the Egypt Council of Churches, the First Evangelical Church in New Assiut, under the patronage of Reverend Bassem Adly, the Church’s pastor, held a Prayer for unity, entitled “You shall love the Lord your God... and your neighbour as yourself” (Luke 10:27). Participants were a group of Church Leaders, His Eminence Bishop Youannes, the Coptic Orthodox Bishop of Assiut, Father Dr. Elia Francis, representing His Eminence Anba Daniel Lotfy, the Coptic Catholic Bishop of Assiut, and Priests.

As well as, participants were Pastors from the Evangelical Church with all its sects, including Reverend Najeh Fawzi, Head of the Parish Servants Committee at the Egypt Council of Churches, Mr. Issam Ayyad, Member of the Week of Prayer Committee for the Catholic Church, and Reverend Dr. Refaat Fikry, Associate Secretary of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), who addressed a speech about the slogan of this year’s Week of Prayer for Unity, and also read a speech by Dr. Michel Abs, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC).

Words Stressing the Role of Christian Media as a Platform for Dialogue, Harmony, and the Dissemination of Christian Teachings

Cairo, 15-3-2024

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Michel Abs, met with Reverend Nadi Labib, Head of the Media Council of the Evangelical Synod of the Nile, in Cairo.

During the meeting the issue of the Christian media was discussed, in order to strengthen its role and cohesion among the Churches, in addition to the possibility of creating a media union that brings together all Christian media outlets.

As well as, attendees talked about the Council’s activities on the occasion of the Fiftieth Year of Its Founding, and emphasized that Christian media has a crucial role in serving all people without discrimination.

Stressing on the Reactivation of the MECC Work in Egypt

Cairo, 15-3-2024

His Eminence Metropolitan Nicolas Antonio, Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of Tanta and Its Dependencies, received the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Michel Abs, at the Archdiocese headquarters - Cairo.

Dr. Michel Abs was accompanied by the MECC Coordinator of Communication for Church Relations Lea Adel Maamary.

During the visit, an overview of the MECC work and the activities of the Fiftieth Year of Its Establishment, was made.

Cairo, 15-3-2024

Many media interviews in Egypt summarized the work of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) throughout half a century of its founding. The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Michel Abs was a guest on AlKeraza TV Channel and spoke, in details, about the MECC founding, the stages it went through, and the services, projects, and activities that the Council currently implements serving humanity and supporting the relief work in which everyone, without exception, are concerned.

He also spoke via AlKeraza about the visits he made in Egypt, which included many activities that would be held on the occasion of the Fiftieth Year of the Council.

Under the theme “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Luke 10:27), the Arab Republic of Egypt inaugurated the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, in a Prayer Service presided over His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, on Wednesday 13 March 2024, in the Church of Church of the Great Martyr Saint George and Anba Ebram - Heliopolis - Cairo.

Cairo, 3/14/2024

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Michel Abs visited the Coptic Orthodox Media Center in Cairo.

He was accompanied during the visit by the MECC Honorary Secretary General in Egypt Dr. Gergis Saleh, the MECC Associate Secretary General in Egypt Reverend Dr. Refaat Fikry, and the Coordinator of Communication for Church Relations Lea Adel Maamary.

They were received by Father Moussa Ibrahim, the official spokesman for the Coptic Orthodox Church, and Dr. Rania Naim, the Director of the Coptic Orthodox Media Center.

Emphasizing the Importance of Dialogue as Well as Purifying Hearts and Minds

Cairo, 3/14/2024

His Eminence Bishop Jeremiah, General Bishop, President of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center, and Assistant Secretary General of the Egyptian Family House, received the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Michel Abs, and a delegation from the Council at the Center’s headquarters in Cairo.

The meeting was attended by His Eminence Sheikh Dr. Muhammad Abu Zaid Al Amir, General Coordinator of the Egyptian Family House and Former Vice President of Al Azhar University, the Honorary Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches Dr. Gergis Saleh, the Associate Secretary General Reverend Dr. Refaat Fikry, and the Coordinator of Communication for Church Relations Lea Adel Maamary.

Words Stressing the Necessity of Strengthening the Christian Presence in the Region

Cairo, 3/14/2024

Over the course of an hour and a half, His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, received the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Michel Abs, and the Council delegation, at the Papal Residence - Abbasiya - Cairo.

The meeting was attended by His Eminence Bishop Anba Antonios Metropolitan of Jerusalem and the Near East for the Coptic Orthodox Church, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches for the Eastern Orthodox Family, Father Antonios Baki, Priest of America and Secretary of His Holiness the Pope, Father Monk Cyril Anba Bishoy, Secretary of His Holiness the Pope, Mr. Joseph, Secretary of His Holiness the Pope, the Honorary Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches Dr. Gergis Saleh, the Associate Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches in Egypt Reverend Dr. Refaat Fikry, the Coordinator of Communication for Church Relations Lea Adel Maamary.

His Holiness Congratulates the Middle East Council of Churches on Its Fiftieth Year and Praises Its Role

Cairo, 13-3-2024

Under the theme “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’” (Luke 10:27)” the Prayer for Christian unity was held in the Church of Church of the Great Martyr Saint George and Anba Ebram - Heliopolis - Cairo, at the invitation of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), in cooperation with the Egypt Council of Churches.

The Prayer was presided over by His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, with the participation of the Heads of Churches in Egypt, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches Dr. Michel Abs, Secretary General of the Egypt Council of Churches Reverend Yachouh Yaacoub, Bishops, Priests, Pastors, Nuns, and Believers.

At the beginning of the Prayer, a speech was delivered by Father Sergios Sergios, the General Agent of the Patriarchate, in which he welcomed everyone and spoke about the history of the Church’s building from the year 1958 till today.

Cairo, 13-3-2024

As part of his meetings on the agenda of his visit to the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Michel Abs participated in the Executive Committee meeting of the Evangelical Synod of the Nile, held in the Synod Building in Cairo.

The President of the Synod Reverend Radi Atallah presided the meeting, with the participation of the Secretary General of the Synod Reverend Refaat Fathi, and the Associate Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches Reverend Dr. Refaat Fikry, and the Heads of the Synod committees.

During the meeting, Dr. Michel Abs presented an intervention in which he said that the Church must reread itself in an evaluative or critical way in order to grow and continue, to use its resources in the best ways to serve people, and to pay attention to institutionalization which has an impact in strengthening the role of Christians on different levels."

Fifty

On the occasion of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in Egypt, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Michel E. Abs attended the opening Prayer of this week, headed by His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, during which he delivered a speech entitled “Fifty.” At its beginning, Dr. Michel Abs addressed His Holiness Pope Tawadros II with a word of love and condolence following the attack, on Monday 12 March 2024, on three monks from the Coptic Orthodox Church at the Monastery of Saint Mark the Apostle and Saint Samuel the Confessor in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Thursday 14 March 2024

On the occasion of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in the Arab Republic of Egypt and as part of the tour of the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Michel Abs in Egypt, Dr. Abs will be the guest in a special episode on the Egyptian “Al Keraza” TV channel with the MECC Associate Secretary General Reverend Dr. Refaat Fikry.

Watch the episode live on Thursday 14 March 2024, at 8:00 pm Cairo time, 10:00 am California time, and 5:00 am Sydney time.

Together Towards Enhancing the Work Mechanisms!

Capabilities development and skills improvement are among the most prominent objectives of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) which seeks in every new opportunity to empower its team work and expand the horizons of its tasks in order to achieve the desired Ecumenical and humanitarian goals.

In this context, the Middle East Council of Churches organized a training on the new policies and procedures prepared and adopted by the Council with the aim of developing its work mechanisms. The training, which was programmed with the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, extended over two days, Thursday 7 and Friday 8 March 2024, at the Near East School of Theology (NEST) in Beirut.

The training was moderated by the MECC Human Resources Senior Officer Mrs. Roula Saliba, in which participants were the team of the MECC General Secretariat in Beirut, and the team of our Lady Dispensary, affiliated with the MECC, in the Sabtieh region –Mount Lebanon. Hence, the training included many sessions and practical exercises, all of which centered, in details, on the policies and procedures for the recruitment process, employee files and all issues related to their duties, rights and performance. In addition, the training highlighted the policies and procedures related to whistleblowing, and the protection from sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (PSEAH)…

The escalation occurring in the South, resulted in the displacement of several citizens in various areas of Lebanon. They were forced to abandon their homes, possessions, and sources of livelihood during a time when the economic crisis is still prevailing. Already, the government was not able to provide the right circumstances for ordinary citizens to maintain their livelihood and source of income as many of the Lebanese population have fallen below the poverty line.

According to recent estimates, 80% of the Lebanese live in poverty and 36% below the extreme poverty line.  As such, many are not able to acquire the basic necessities that encompass food, medication, heating equipment, and hygiene & dignity supplies etc... Expectations indicate, amidst the urgency of the situation, that between April and September 2024, about 1.14 million people are expected to face high levels of food insecurity and are likely to be in a crisis or emergency phase according to standards set by the Integrated Food Security Classification. As such the issue of the internally displaced people (IDPs) coming from the South, came at an unfavorable time during which humanitarian needs are already shocking.

Words Stressing the Need to Strengthen Relations Between the Churches

Cairo, 3-13-2024

In the context of strengthening relations between the Churches and emphasizing the role of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) in spreading the spirit of love among all, and in preparation for the activities of the MECC Fiftieth Year of its Founding, the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, visited, with a delegation from the Council, the Bishop of the Episcopal Church in Egypt, North Africa and the Horn of Africa  His Eminence Bishop Sami Fawzi Shehata at the headquarters of the Episcopal Church in Cairo.

The meeting was attended by the MECC Honorary Secretary General Dr. Gergis Saleh, the MECC Associate Secretary General Reverend Dr. Refaat Fikry, the Secretary General of the Egypt’s Council of Churches Father Yachouh Yacoub, and the journalist Lea Adel Maamary, the Coordinator of Communication for Church Relations.

The meeting was characterized by a spirit of love, as Dr. Michel Abs spoke about the MECC role in strengthening relations between Churches, as well as the MECC work regarding lectures, programs and projects it implements embracing humanity and including everyone without exception.

With a Delegation from the Council, Emphasizing the Role of Media in Building Humanity

Cairo, 3-13-2024

Many topics, aspirations and important files were the highlight of the meeting of His Beatitude Patriarch Anba Ibrahim Isaac, Coptic Catholic Patriarch of Alexandria, and Head of the Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Egypt, with the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Michel Abs, and the Council’s delegation, at the Patriarchate headquarters - Cairo.

The meeting was attended by the MECC Honorary Secretary General Dr. Gergis Saleh, the MECC Associate Secretary General Reverend Dr. Refaat Fikry, and the Coordinator of Communication for Church Relations the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary.  

Following the welcoming, the two parties discussed important topics related to the issues of the Christian role in the Middle East, Ecumenical witness, cooperation between Churches, the role of MECC in raising new problems at the humanitarian and social levels, and the MECC activities on the occasion of the Fiftieth Year of its Founding.