Professor Dr. Michel Abs

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

We head to Egypt with great longing for its people, its Nile, its skies, and the pleasure of being there.
We go to Egypt to participate in the Week of Prayer for the Unity of Christians, which Christians around the world have been doing for more than a hundred years, although the dates of this Week in Egypt does not exactly match with the dates of same event in the Antiochian Levant.

What delights us when we visit Egypt and hear from its church leaders, as well as from our compatriots, is how the Egyptian people live with a social and national unity that transcends differences of religion or sect.
There is an unambiguous consensus among the people of Egypt regarding the unity of culture and citizenry, and the need to make every possible sacrifice to preserve this unity.

Isn’t His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, the entrusted with the See of Saint Mark, the one whose words everyone repeats: “It is better for us to have a homeland without a church than to have a church without a homeland”?
Truly spoken, Your Holiness, for if the homeland is lost, everything is lost; but if the homeland remains, it becomes the place that shelters the church, the mosque, and all God’s worshippers.

I have sat with many Egyptian elites of various affiliations, and they all clearly share this choice: the homeland comes first, and in this regard, there is no compromise whatsoever…

Cairo, February 13, 2025

With great love, translated into true fraternity, the Honorary Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Gergis Saleh, offered a painting of Jesus Christ to the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, the Associate Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Reverend Dr. Refaat Fikry, and the Media Officer and the Coordinator of the Church and Media Relations at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Lea Adel Maamary, as a token of love and appreciation.

The painting of Jesus Christ was decorated with the Bible Verse “That Your Eyes may be Open toward this house night and day” (1 Kings 8: 29).

Emphasizing the Importance of Dialogue, Social Cohesion, and Media Cooperation

Cairo, February 13, 2025

His Grace Bishop Anba Ermia, 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 - 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 Media Officer and the Coordinator of the Church and Media Relations at MECC, the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary.  

Bishop Shehata Praises the Work of the Council's Departments, Programs and Advanced Media.

Professor Michel Abs: "We always strive for joint Christian work and to enhance dialogue with others."

Cairo, February 12, 2025

Within the framework of enhancing joint Christian work and affirming the role of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) in spreading the spirit of love among all, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, along with a delegation from the Council, visited 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 Egyptian Council of Churches Father Yachouh Ayoub, and the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, the Media Officer and the Coordinator of the Church and Media Relations at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC).

At the beginning, His Eminence Bishop Sami Shehata welcomed the Secretary General Professor Michel Abs and the Council's delegation, stressing that his visit enhances fraternity and cooperation between the Churches.

Drama Therapy and Psychological Support

In light of the daily pressures surrounding our societies, children became in dire need of a safe space in which they can feel free to express themselves. Therefore, it has become necessary to develop their abilities and skills and teach them valuable skills which can elevate them to better heights once they reach adulthood. Hence, the Diakonia and Social Service Department, Lebanon’s Office, at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), in cooperation with the international organization Mennonite Central Committee - MCC, launched 10 drama therapy sessions over a period of 3 weeks, for a group of 7 children.

The aim was to empower the participants, build skills for self-expression and self-regulation, which can in turn boost self-confidence, enhance empathy and social skills, reduce stress and anxiety, and foster cognitive development.

Entitled “Do you believe this?” (John 11: 26)

Cairo - February 12, 2025

Professor Michel Abs, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), arrived in Cairo to participate in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity entitled “Do you believe this?” (John 11: 26).

The Secretary General will also visit Church Leaders, hold lectures, as well as media interviews.

He was accompanied on the visit by the Media Officer at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), the Coordinator of the Church and Media Relations at the Council, and the Director of the Platform of the Word, Lea Adel Maamary.

They were received at Cairo International Airport by the Associate Secretary General Reverend Rafaat Fikry.

It is worth noting that the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs, had made a special statement via the MECC platform, in which he expressed his happiness to visit Egypt and meet Church Leaders, stressing that the Secretary General's participation in the Week of Prayer in Egypt will become an annual tradition.

During His Participation at the Symposium of the Supreme Islamic Shiite Council in Lebanon

On the thought of Imam Sheikh Muhammad Mahdi Shams Al-Din on the Twenty-fourth Commemoration of His Passing

The Supreme Islamic Shiite Council in Lebanon held a symposium on the thought of the Late Imam Sheikh Muhammad Mahdi Shams Al-Din on the Twenty-fourth Commemoration of his passing. The symposium was held under the patronage of the Scholar Sheikh Ali Al-Khatib, the Vice-President of the Supreme Islamic Shiite Council, on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at the headquarters of the Islamic Shiite Council in Hazmieh - Lebanon.

At the end of the symposium, the media team of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) conducted an interview with Sheikh Ali Al-Khatib, who stressed the importance of the thought of the Late Imam Sheikh Muhammad Mahdi Shams Al-Din, especially in terms of openness, tolerance, dialogue and safeguarding the nation.

Organized by the Supreme Islamic Shiite Council in Lebanon

On the twenty-fourth commemoration of the passing of Imam Sheikh Muhammad Mahdi Shams Al-Din, and under the patronage of the Scholar Sheikh Ali Al-Khatib, the Vice-President of the Supreme Islamic Shiite Council, the Supreme Islamic Shiite Council in Lebanon held a dialogue symposium about the thought of Sheikh Shams Al-Din, on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at the headquarters of the Islamic Shiite Council in Hazmieh - Lebanon.

In this context, this report presents details about the symposium, as well as some interviews with participants.

Stay Tuned for a Special Episode with Monsignor Abdo Abou Kasm and the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary on Télé Lumière and Noursat TV Channel

Watch with us a special episode entitled “The Word Unites Us”, from “The Platform of the Word” at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), with the Director of the Catholic Information Center in Lebanon Monsignor Abdo Abou Kasm, on Thursday 13 Februatry 2025, at 1:45 pm Beirut Time, on Télé Lumière and Noursat TV Channel. He was interviewed by the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, the Media Officer at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), the Director of “The Platform of the Word”, and the Coordinator of the Church and Media Relations at MECC.

The episode focused on the importance of the media in spreading the values of love, fraternity and peace away from the discourse of hatred and injustice, in addition to the role of "The Platform of the Word" in the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) and its mission in strengthening the Ecumenical spirit.

On the Occasion of the Anniversary of His Enthronement as Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East

On the occasion of the Twelfth Anniversary of the Enthronement of His Beatitude Patriarch John X, as Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, the Secretary General Professor Dr. Michel Abs, on behalf of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) family, extends his warmest congratulations to His Beatitude, the Successor of the Apostles Peter and Paul, the Thirteenth of the Holy and Pure Apostles Saints, and the President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) for the Orthodox family, wishing him continued health and success in his pastoral service as a faithful servant of the Church of Christ.

The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) also raises its Prayers to God on the intention of His Beatitude Patriarch John X, to bless his service, bestow His graces upon him, and grant him the power of the Holy Spirit to lead his Church to the salvation in the name of Jesus Christ, and to remain a model of love and endless giving in the field of the Lord, wishing him many years of goodness, blessing, and holiness.

About His Upcoming Visit to the Arab Republic of Egypt and His Participation in the Celebrations of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

A Campaign on the Occasion of the International Day for the Protection of Children from Internet Abuse

The Lebanese Ministry of Social Affairs, through the National Program for the Protection of Family and Childhood and the Higher Council for Childhood, in partnership with the relevant ministries (Ministry of Education and Higher Education, The Center for Educational Research and Development, Ministry of Justice, Internal Security Forces - Cybercrime Bureau, Ministry of Public Health, Ministry of Information, Ogero), UNICEF, and civil society organizations (Himaya Association, Union for the Protection of Juveniles in Lebanon, Justice Without Borders Association, Internet Society Association, Dot Lebanon Association, Tasami Association, Rakaz Association, René Moawad Foundation, Takaful Association for Child Welfare, Syndicate of Educational Technology in Lebanon, Digital Transformation and Digital Governance Network), with the support of Promomedia, launches the media and advertising campaign entitled:

"At this Moment, Your children Are At Risk... The Internet Is Not Always Safe"

On the occasion of the International Day for the Protection of Children from Internet Abuse.

Dialogue and Safeguarding the Nation

A speech by Professor Dr. Michel Abs
Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches
Delivered at the seminar on the thought of Imam Sheikh Muhammad Mahdi Shams al-Din
on the 24th anniversary of his passing
February 5, 2025
At the Supreme Islamic Shiite Council in Hazmieh – Lebanon

When I think of the eminent scholar Sheikh Muhammad Mahdi Shams al-Din, I am first reminded of his gentle, loving smile and his kind countenance, behind which there was a far-sighted vision gazing into the distance, trying to decipher its secrets, perhaps to protect the nation and strengthen the future of its children. His sharp insight was one of his principal characteristics, and he employed it in the service of the faithful community, the Shi‘a of Lebanon—I avoid using the word “sect”—and the nation.

Allow me to interject a brief personal note: I sensed that same good spirit in his son, my friend and His Excellency the Minister Ibrahim, as well as in his grandson Khalil, the diligent student in the master’s program I used to lead at Saint Joseph University.

I got to know Sheikh Muhammad Mahdi Shams al-Din through my membership, starting in 1997, in the “Islamic-Christian National Committee for Dialogue,” which he helped establish. Through it, through the activities of its members and thanks to his guidance and support, we contributed to safeguarding civil peace and preventing strife on many occasions. God alone knows where such strife would have led us when it often began with a seemingly minor incident of little apparent importance.

Whenever we visited him to draw from his wisdom, it was clear that he embraced the idea of Lebanon as the final homeland, stressing the need to preserve all components of the nation and to protect civil peace as a means of safeguarding the country. He would present his thoughts and opinions to us gently and simply, like a loving father who refuses to allow anyone to compromise the nation.

Together In an Ecumenical Journey

Reverend Dr. Paul Haidostian: Our partners have accompanied the MECC quite closely and they still do, and we are blessed by a global partnership

Secretary General Professor Dr. Michel Abs: MECC has been a tool of paradigm change in the area, among the churches and in society, and shall continue to be so

Under the title “Partners Ongoing Accompaniment of MECC in the Ecumenical Journey”, the General Secretariat of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), headed by the Secretary General Professor Dr. Michel Abs, held its annual meeting with the MECC partners from international and regional organizations and institutions, on Thursday, February 6, 2025. It aimed at presenting the achievements made by the Council, as well as the upcoming entitlements, in addition to exchanging opinions and experiences in order to develop the work mechanisms and achieve the desired goals, working together towards a more effective future partnership.

The meeting was attended online by representatives of various organizations and institutions partnering with the Middle East Council of Churches from around the world, Reverend Dr. Paul Haidostian, President of the Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East (UAECNE), President of Haigazian University in Lebanon, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) for the Evangelical Family, and Members of the MECC Executive Committee, as well as Directors and Coordinators of the Council’s departments and the team work in person from the MECC headquarters in Beirut.

Of the Late Imam Sheikh Muhammad Mahdi Shams Al-Din

Sheikh Ali Al-Khatib: The basis of the Islamic religion rejects sectarianism but adopts sects and living with sects in peace

The MECC Secretary General Professor Dr. Michel Abs: Any word or action issued by the Scholar Imam Sheikh Muhammad Mahdi Shams Al-Din are deeply imprinted with the logic of dialogue that the Great Imam lives as a logic of life

On the twenty-fourth commemoration of the passing of Imam Sheikh Muhammad Mahdi Shams Al-Din, and under the patronage of the Scholar Sheikh Ali Al-Khatib, the Vice-President of the Supreme Islamic Shiite Council, the Supreme Islamic Shiite Council in Lebanon held a dialogue symposium about the thought of Sheikh Shams Al-Din, on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at the headquarters of the Islamic Shiite Council in Hazmieh - Lebanon.

The symposium was moderated by Dr. Jihad Saad, and the speakers were the Editor-in-chief of Al-Liwaa Newspaper Mr. Salah Salam, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Dr. Michel Abs, and the Dean of the Higher Doctoral School of Literature, Humanities and Social Sciences at the Lebanese University Dr. Hussein Rahal.

“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them” (Matthew 18: 20).

With these Holy Words, the team of the General Secretariat of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) in Beirut continues its periodic meetings headed by the MECC Secretary General Professor Dr. Michel Abs, raising Prayers to the Lord Jesus for the intention of peace and justice in the Middle East and the world, for the suffering and marginalized people, and for every human being on this earth.

In its last meeting on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, the family of the MECC General Secretariat gathered around the Gospel of the Feast of the Presentation of Christ into the Temple, which was read by the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, the Media Officer at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), the Director of “The Platform of the Word” and the Coordinator of the Church and Media Relations at MECC, in an atmosphere of reverence, contemplation and fraternity, amidst an inner peace that filled the hearts of the worshipers.