Momentum, the Weekly Newsletter from the Middle East Council of Churches

In the new issue of the weekly newsletter Momentum issued by the Middle East Council of Churches, Communication and Public Relations Department, you can find the MECC statement concerning the humanitarian crisis that Artsakh is suffering from since 8 months due to the blockade imposed by Azerbaijan on it. As for the weekly message of the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, it is entitled “Asylum and marginalization under the scrutiny of justice and faith”. It was the speech that Dr. Abs delivered at the round table organized by the Middle East Council of Churches under the title "Human Dignity and Palestinian Refugees”, on Thursday 27 July 2023, at the headquarters of the MECC General Secretariat in Beirut. The seminar is part of the series of monthly seminars launched by MECC, within the framework of the “Human Dignity Project” - “Dialogue and Social Cohesion-Social Capital Rehabilitation”.

The issue also includes a news about the evening of Prayer for Iraq and the beleaguered Chaldean Catholic Church at the invitation and organization of the Chaldean Eparchy of Beirut, on Saturday 13 August 2023, at the Cathedral of Archangel Raphael in Baabda - Brasilia, Lebanon. The Prayer was held under the auspices and with the presence of His Beatitude Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rai, Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and with the Blessings of His Eminence Bishop Michel Kassarji, Head of the Chaldean Community in Lebanon.

In the issue also, the Middle East Council of Churches, Presidents, Executive Committee Members, and the General Secretariat, extends its warmest congratulations to His Beatitude Pope Theodoros II, Greek Orthodox Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, on the occasion of the fifty years of his monasticism, and wishes him many years of prosperity, blessings and holiness. MECC also wishes His Beatitude good health and success in his Pastoral mission, and raises its Prayers to the Lord Jesus Christ to grant him determination in his service and Christian testimony.

As well as, the Middle East Council of Churches has the honor to invite you to participate in its new monthly webinar, entitled “Human Dignity for Newborns of Unknown Parents”, on Thursday 31 August 2023, at 7:00 pm. You can participate in the webinar via the following Zoom link https://shorturl.at/djosI, and live on the MECC Facebook Page. The webinar, which includes three interventions, will start with an opening speech by its moderator Dr. Chawki Attieh, which will be followed with a speech by the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches Dr. Michel Abs.

The issue also presents a news about the farewell of the colleague, the Financial Director Mrs. Manal Bechara Bou Habib, where the MECC General Secretariat’s family gathered around lunch on Wednesday 16 August 2023, after a journey in the Ecumenical world that lasted for eight years of giving, dedication, and loyalty to the MECC mission. She was known for her service, love, and continuous support for all colleagues, partners, and friends.

Moreover, the issue includes details and photos about the activities implemented recently by the MECC Diakona and Social Service Department in Lebanon and Syria.

Furthermore, the issue includes many reports issued by MECC after the earthquake that hit the North of the Antiochian Levant, under the name of "Rescue Syria Update" which will keep you informed about the developments of MECC action as well as the overall situation in a context analysis perspective. The MECC will be also publishing other periodical and updated reports. This is in addition to photo albums showing the difficult humanitarian situations in Syria.

The issue also presents the international “Season of Creation” guide 2023 entitled “Let Justice and Peace Flow” in Arabic and English. Noting that MECC has translated it into Arabic. As well as, you can find Ecumenical reports, the weekly Prayer, videos, and news of the Middle Eastern Churches.

Additionally, the issue presents a socio-economic overview of the Middle East during July 2023 and the latest updates of the Coronavirus in the region.