Executive Committee Meeting for the Middle East Council of Churches in solidarity with Beirut and prays for those affected by the Coronavirus pandemic

The Executive committee of the Middle East Council of churches renewed its solidarity with the Lebanese people due to the Beirut blast during its meeting on the 18th of September, which was hosted by His Beatitude Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rahi in the Maronite Patriarchate in Bkerke - Lebanon. It also emphasized that the Council is in solidarity with those affected with the Coronavirus pandemic and they issued the following decisions and recommendations:

• Deep solidarity with the Lebanese in the catastrophic tragedy they are suffering from due to the Beirut blast, and the continuation of ecumenical ecclesiastical efforts with all local, regional and international partners to lift the material and psychological repercussions of this tragedy as a sign of values and capabilities of fraternity.

• Deep Solidarity with all those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and lost loved ones, with the continuous prayer raised for its decline, as well as appreciating the efforts of all medical and social teams devoted to confronting the repercussions of this pandemic.

• The sustained call to end the destructive wars and conflicts in the Middle East, to protect human dignity, and to build peace on the basis of justice and right.

• Ecumenical ecclesiastical commitment to consolidate the continuity of the work of the Middle East Council of Churches, which is an expression of the unity of Christians and a sign of hope for joint cooperation for the service of mankind and for coexistence in this blessed region.

• We wish the new Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, luck in his Ecumenical service for the good of the faithful and all the loved ones in the Middle East, and for the realization of peace and social justice.