May 10, 2013

The Executive Committee of the Assembly of Christian Communities in the Middle East meets with His Holiness Aram I

On Friday 10 May 2013, the Executive Committee met, headed by Maronite Bishop Samir Mazloum. The Assembly was created six years ago with the aim of coordinating the activities and the human and material resources of Christian communities in the region in order to contribute effectively to their societies. The Holy See of Cilicia is represented by Mr. Jean Salmanian and the Very Rev. Masis Choboyan.  

 

During the meeting they discussed the situation in the region and assessed the impact of the “Arab Spring” on Christian communities, particular in Syria. Bishop Samir Mazloum then invited His Holiness Aram I to the Conference to be held in October 2013, and to which representatives of the diaspora of local Christian communities are also invited.  

 

His Holiness Aram I thanked the members of the Committee for their visit, and he encouraged them to work towards strengthening Christian presence in the region by advising people not to emigrate. The Catholicos further urged them to promote Christian-Muslim dialogue, despite difficulties, and he briefly discussed the continuing effort to release the two kidnapped Metropolitans of Aleppo.

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