WCC consultation in Beirut explores conciliar ecumenism
“Ecumenism is a quality of life that needs to be articulated in all aspects of a Christian’s life”, and “conciliarity is an essential nature of the church,” said Catholicos Aram I, head of the Holy See of Cilicia of the Armenian Apostolic Church. He was speaking to the audience at the World Council of Churches (WCC) consultation in Beirut, Lebanon.
Participants of the WCC consultation on “conciliar ecumenism” in Lebanon, 2012. © Photo Markar/Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia
The consultation was hosted by the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) from 5-11 February.
The consultation focused on the theme “conciliar ecumenism”, referring to the Christian councils and associations that pursue church unity at the national, regional or world level.
The meeting was attended by thirty-three leaders from national councils of churches (NCCs) and regional ecumenical organisations (REOs), building on the tradition of the WCC, REOs and NCCs working together to give expression to churches’ desire for unity in Christ.
Catholicos Aram I also identified three distinctive trends that require further consideration in conciliar ecumenism, namely the growing shift from church-centred to people-centred ecumenism, a shift from multi-confessional to confessional ecumenism, and a shift from global to regional and local ecumenism.
Other realities, such as the multiplicity of ecumenical actors, churches not yet identifying with the ecumenical movement, and questions of financial sustainability of councils, were identified by the Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, the WCC general secretary, during his presentation.
Tveit encouraged the participants to ask “if we are really the fellowship of churches that we are called to be, communities of churches that move forward towards the goal of visible unity?”
“And are we a common witness in the spirit and ethos of koinonia and guided by its values, such as solidarity, mutual accountability and the commitment to consensus and common witness?”
Koinonia is the New Testament vision of unity within the communion of the Holy Spirit.
In their responses participants focused on the theological and biblical basis of conciliar ecumenism, reflecting on its different expressions and implications for the role of national and regional councils.
Working together
They also pointed out the sociocultural and geopolitical issues including migration, a context where Christians are called to be witnesses. These issues were also addressed in a presentation by the Rev. Dr Michael Kinnamon, theological consultant for the meeting.
Fr Dr Paul Rouhana, general secretary of the MECC, spoke to the consultation about the challenges faced by his council due to the political turmoil in the region. But he emphasized the potential of churches working together to offer a witness of peace and unity to all.
Along with the group discussions, panels and sessions, participants also benefited from a shared spiritual life in Bible studies, prayers and songs.
“This meeting had several objectives,” said Natasha Klukach, WCC programme executive for North America. “There was urgency to address the very real challenges faced by councils throughout the world and to study together the basis and role of conciliar life within the ecumenical movement.”
“It was also important to build the fellowship and collegiality of this unique group of council leadership. Meeting in the Middle East was both a return to the land in which our faith is rooted, but also a valuable opportunity to focus our conversations by learning from our brothers and sisters in this region,” said Klukach.
A comprehensive report on the consultation, including future vision and recommendations for councils, will be commended to all associate councils of the WCC for study and reflection.
Source: WCC
Participants of the WCC consultation on “conciliar ecumenism” in Lebanon, 2012. © Photo Markar/Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia
The consultation was hosted by the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) from 5-11 February.
The consultation focused on the theme “conciliar ecumenism”, referring to the Christian councils and associations that pursue church unity at the national, regional or world level.
The meeting was attended by thirty-three leaders from national councils of churches (NCCs) and regional ecumenical organisations (REOs), building on the tradition of the WCC, REOs and NCCs working together to give expression to churches’ desire for unity in Christ.
Catholicos Aram I also identified three distinctive trends that require further consideration in conciliar ecumenism, namely the growing shift from church-centred to people-centred ecumenism, a shift from multi-confessional to confessional ecumenism, and a shift from global to regional and local ecumenism.
Other realities, such as the multiplicity of ecumenical actors, churches not yet identifying with the ecumenical movement, and questions of financial sustainability of councils, were identified by the Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, the WCC general secretary, during his presentation.
Tveit encouraged the participants to ask “if we are really the fellowship of churches that we are called to be, communities of churches that move forward towards the goal of visible unity?”
“And are we a common witness in the spirit and ethos of koinonia and guided by its values, such as solidarity, mutual accountability and the commitment to consensus and common witness?”
Koinonia is the New Testament vision of unity within the communion of the Holy Spirit.
In their responses participants focused on the theological and biblical basis of conciliar ecumenism, reflecting on its different expressions and implications for the role of national and regional councils.
Working together
They also pointed out the sociocultural and geopolitical issues including migration, a context where Christians are called to be witnesses. These issues were also addressed in a presentation by the Rev. Dr Michael Kinnamon, theological consultant for the meeting.
Fr Dr Paul Rouhana, general secretary of the MECC, spoke to the consultation about the challenges faced by his council due to the political turmoil in the region. But he emphasized the potential of churches working together to offer a witness of peace and unity to all.
Along with the group discussions, panels and sessions, participants also benefited from a shared spiritual life in Bible studies, prayers and songs.
“This meeting had several objectives,” said Natasha Klukach, WCC programme executive for North America. “There was urgency to address the very real challenges faced by councils throughout the world and to study together the basis and role of conciliar life within the ecumenical movement.”
“It was also important to build the fellowship and collegiality of this unique group of council leadership. Meeting in the Middle East was both a return to the land in which our faith is rooted, but also a valuable opportunity to focus our conversations by learning from our brothers and sisters in this region,” said Klukach.
A comprehensive report on the consultation, including future vision and recommendations for councils, will be commended to all associate councils of the WCC for study and reflection.
Source: WCC
Beirut from Above
Կը Չափե՞ս Կեանքիդ Ճնշումները Բ. Կոր.1.1-11 եւ Սաղմ.38.8
Եկեղեցիներու Միաբանութեան Աղօթքի Շաբաթ Միջ-Համայնքային Պաշտամունք
Religious leaders reflect on Christian presence in the Arab world
27.01.12
The World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit reaffirmed churches’ commitment to justice and peace in the Middle East, while stressing the importance of a common vision for living together by Christians and Muslims in the Arab world.
Tveit was speaking at the Christian-Muslim consultation on “Christian Presence and Witness in the Arab World” organized by the WCC programmes for Churches in the Middle East and Inter-religious Dialogue and Cooperation in collaboration with the Middle East Council of Churches.
The consultation is currently taking place from 24-28 January at the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia in Antelias, Lebanon, bringing together youth, scholars and Christian and Muslim leaders for a frank and dynamic discussion.
Tveit said the Middle East is of special interest for the WCC, and articulated the historic significance of Christian presence in the Arab world, where he believes faith plays a major role, reflecting on a declaration of the WCC’s Central Committee meeting of February 2011:
“Our living faith has its roots in this region and is nourished and nurtured by the unbroken witness of the local churches, who have their own roots from the apostolic times.”
“Without this Christian presence, the conviviality among peoples from different faiths, cultures, and civilisations, which is a sign of God’s love for all humanity, will be endangered,” said Tveit.
He appreciated the participation of a range of Muslims in the consultation, who he says, have emphasized their commitment to strengthen the Christian presence in the Middle East. He said that it is through their action for the common good that people in the Arab world can accomplish peace, justice, freedom and harmony.
“We will certainly want to make clear to our wider constituency, the WCC’s extensive experience over many years of how Christians and Muslims continue to work together constructively for the common good,” he said.
Tveit also pointed out the challenges faced by the Christians in the Arab world, and the sense of insecurity they feel, due to political divides and persistent conflicts.
The WCC has addressed over a number of years the issue of emigration of Christians from the region resulting from the occupation and war in Iraq and the occupation of the Palestinian territories.
He said, “We know that the changes in the Arab world over the last year – and changes still to come – have also left many Christians, along with many Muslims, feeling uncertain and even afraid for their future."
Highlighting the efforts of churches struggling for justice and peace in Israel and Palestine, Tveit said that the situation is of great concern for Christians in Jerusalem, as well as people of other faiths.
Source: World Council of Churches
The World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit reaffirmed churches’ commitment to justice and peace in the Middle East, while stressing the importance of a common vision for living together by Christians and Muslims in the Arab world.
 |
From left to right: Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, the WCC general
secretary; H.H. Catholicos Aram I of the Holy See of Cilicia of
the Armenian Apostolic Church; and H.B. Patriarch emeritus
Michel Sabbah at the WCC consultation in Lebanon.
© Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia
|
The consultation is currently taking place from 24-28 January at the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia in Antelias, Lebanon, bringing together youth, scholars and Christian and Muslim leaders for a frank and dynamic discussion.
Tveit said the Middle East is of special interest for the WCC, and articulated the historic significance of Christian presence in the Arab world, where he believes faith plays a major role, reflecting on a declaration of the WCC’s Central Committee meeting of February 2011:
“Our living faith has its roots in this region and is nourished and nurtured by the unbroken witness of the local churches, who have their own roots from the apostolic times.”
“Without this Christian presence, the conviviality among peoples from different faiths, cultures, and civilisations, which is a sign of God’s love for all humanity, will be endangered,” said Tveit.
He appreciated the participation of a range of Muslims in the consultation, who he says, have emphasized their commitment to strengthen the Christian presence in the Middle East. He said that it is through their action for the common good that people in the Arab world can accomplish peace, justice, freedom and harmony.
“We will certainly want to make clear to our wider constituency, the WCC’s extensive experience over many years of how Christians and Muslims continue to work together constructively for the common good,” he said.
Tveit also pointed out the challenges faced by the Christians in the Arab world, and the sense of insecurity they feel, due to political divides and persistent conflicts.
The WCC has addressed over a number of years the issue of emigration of Christians from the region resulting from the occupation and war in Iraq and the occupation of the Palestinian territories.
He said, “We know that the changes in the Arab world over the last year – and changes still to come – have also left many Christians, along with many Muslims, feeling uncertain and even afraid for their future."
Highlighting the efforts of churches struggling for justice and peace in Israel and Palestine, Tveit said that the situation is of great concern for Christians in Jerusalem, as well as people of other faiths.
Source: World Council of Churches
Գրաւուած Օր՝ Ք.Ջ. Ճաշկերոյթ
Bowling Social Event of the Armenian Evangelical Emmanuel Church's Junior Youth
On Saturday, 10 December 2011 - the Badaniatz junior youth group had their social event. They had fun time playing bowling and enjoying the friendship of each other.
Photos courtesy of K. Aynilian
Photos courtesy of K. Aynilian
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Youth longing for peace in the Arab world
06.02.12
The key role played by young people during the transformations in the Arab world throughout the past year was a recurrent theme for the recent World Council of Churches (WCC) Christian-Muslim consultation on “Christian Presence and Witness in the Arab World”.
The consultation was organized by the WCC programmes for Churches in the Middle East and Inter-religious Dialogue and Cooperation in collaboration with the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) in Antelias, Lebanon.
The consultation took place from 24 to 28 January and brought together a number of religious leaders, scholars and young activists.
The participants' passion and longing for political and religious freedom, human dignity and rights, and social and economic justice for all people of the Arab world marked the event.
The importance of equal citizenship for all was reiterated frequently. The politics and relationships between the values of citizenship and its links to religious institutions were debated.
Short but vivid sketches highlighted recent events, problems and signs of hope in a wide range of countries. It was acknowledged that in some parts of the Arab world, Christians and Muslims were afraid of the uncertainties that the future might bring.
However, it was also noted that the people of God must not deal in the currency of fear. It was important that the religions themselves were willing to become part of the process of transformation.
As one participant put it, “We need religious leaders who are willing to play a prophetic role, and to be people of vision and wisdom.”
A number of specific proposals and suggestions were put forward in the final communiqué of the meeting.
This consultation was in one of a series of meetings being held in preparation of a major international ecumenical gathering on the Christian presence in the Middle East. This meeting is being planned by the WCC in partnership with the MECC, and is due to take place in December 2012.
Source: World Council of Churches
The key role played by young people during the transformations in the Arab world throughout the past year was a recurrent theme for the recent World Council of Churches (WCC) Christian-Muslim consultation on “Christian Presence and Witness in the Arab World”.
The consultation was organized by the WCC programmes for Churches in the Middle East and Inter-religious Dialogue and Cooperation in collaboration with the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) in Antelias, Lebanon.
The consultation took place from 24 to 28 January and brought together a number of religious leaders, scholars and young activists.
The participants' passion and longing for political and religious freedom, human dignity and rights, and social and economic justice for all people of the Arab world marked the event.
The importance of equal citizenship for all was reiterated frequently. The politics and relationships between the values of citizenship and its links to religious institutions were debated.
Short but vivid sketches highlighted recent events, problems and signs of hope in a wide range of countries. It was acknowledged that in some parts of the Arab world, Christians and Muslims were afraid of the uncertainties that the future might bring.
However, it was also noted that the people of God must not deal in the currency of fear. It was important that the religions themselves were willing to become part of the process of transformation.
As one participant put it, “We need religious leaders who are willing to play a prophetic role, and to be people of vision and wisdom.”
A number of specific proposals and suggestions were put forward in the final communiqué of the meeting.
This consultation was in one of a series of meetings being held in preparation of a major international ecumenical gathering on the Christian presence in the Middle East. This meeting is being planned by the WCC in partnership with the MECC, and is due to take place in December 2012.
Source: World Council of Churches