A Certificate of Appreciation Signed by His Holiness Pope Tawadros II to the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs
During His Lecture Entitled "The Church and Scientific Research" at the Institute of Coptic Studies - Cairo
Photos: Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4.
Cairo, February 14, 2025
Within the framework of his visit to the Arab Republic of Egypt to participate in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Professor Michel Abs, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), delivered a lecture at the Institute of Coptic Studies in Cairo, entitled "The Church and Scientific Research".
The lecture was attended by the Honorary Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Gergis Saleh, the Associate Secretary General Reverend Dr. Refaat Fikry, Father Paula Attieh, the Deputy of the Theological Seminary in Fayoum, and the Dean of the Institute of Coptic Studies Dr. Ishaq Ajban, the Deputy of the Institute of Coptic Studies Dr. Adel Fakhry, the Media Officer and the Coordinator of the Church and Media Relations at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Lea Adel Maamary, and Professors, students of the Sections of Church and Ecumenical Relations and Theology at the Institute and Priests.
At the beginning, Dr. Ishaq Ajban welcomed Dr. Michel Abs, describing him as an intellectual, cultured and open-minded figure who enriches the Institute and refines its students with values and knowledge.
The Honorary Secretary General Dr. Gergis Saleh introduced the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Michel Abs, presenting the most prominent stations in his biography that traces a path of values and a beacon of knowledge that has no limits.
Then, Professor Michel Abs spoke at length about the subject of “The Church and Scientific Research”. The most prominent points of his lecture were: "
- Every human or social entity that lacks research falls into chaos and confusion because the pressing social and technological transformations pose challenges to every entity on the face of the earth.
- In the sociological sense, the Church is a society that has the dynamics of societies and all their characteristics in terms of change or even transformation, and we must deal with it on this basis. So it is necessary to deal with the Church and its institutions according to the logic of modern management in terms of organization to the search for effectiveness, as well as administrative and leadership work requirements.
- Every Church decision, measure or work policy that is not based on scientific research and scientific data, or a simple investigation at the very least, may be improvised and not bear fruit.
- Therefore, in order to properly manage its affairs, it is necessary to be aware of all its dynamics, in order to achieve the following:
1- Improving the administrative performance of its institutions of all kinds
2- Preventing or preempting the emergence of dangerous phenomena within its bosom
3- Anticipating the future of its generations and institutions - To govern is to foresee
These things cannot happen by guessing, wishful thinking, or improvisation, hence the necessity of scientific research in the bossom of the Church
- To those who think that there is a contradiction between religion and faith on the one hand and scientific research on the other hand, we say: the first people who search for the foundations of existence were believers who searched for the Creator in His creation
- These people were also motivated by faith, and were certain that science does not conflict with religion
They worked to glorify God, believing that studying the world and nature scientifically is a way to deepen understanding of the greatness of the Creator"
The students interacted with the lecture and listened carefully to the extensive explanation and asked several questions to Professor Michel Abs.
At the end of the lecture, Dr. Ishaq Ajban offered to the lecturer a certificate of appreciation signed by His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, and a national currency souvenir, on the occasion of the 70th Anniversary of the Founding of the Institute of Coptic Studies, as well as a Holy Bible for the same occasion, and pictures depicting the Coptic civilization.
Dr. Ishaq Ajban also offered gifts of appreciation to the MECC delegation and to Father Paula Attieh.
It is worth noting that the Institute of Coptic Studies is an academic, scientific and educational Institute specialized in studying aspects of Coptic civilization, heritage and culture, including thought, Theology, language, literature, history and society, art, music and architecture.
It includes thirteen Sections that fall into three groups:
The group of Theological Sciences Sections includes: the Section of Theological Sciences, the Section of Coptic Language, the Section of Coptic Melodies and Music, the Section of Canon Law, and the Section of Church and Ecumenical Relations.
As for the group of Coptic Heritage Sections, it includes: the Section of Coptic Art, the Section of Coptic Antiquities, the Section of Coptic Architecture, and the Section of Eastern Christian Heritage.
While the group of Human Sciences Sections consists of: the Section of Coptic History, the Section of Sociology and Education, the Section of African Studies, and the Section of Media Studies.