EVENTS
ARMENIAN ORTHODOX BISHOPS ASSIST IN THE CONSECRATION OF THE SYRIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH IN AJALTOUN, LEBANON
08/08/2010
On Sunday 8 August 2010, Archbishop Gomitas Ohanian the Grand Sacristan of the Catholicosate of Cilicia, and Bishop Nareg Alemezian the Ecumenical Officer assisted in the consecration of St. Gabriel Syrian Orthodox Church at Ajaltoun in Lebanon.
At the end of the ceremony, the Bishops conveyed to His Holiness Patriarch Ignatius Zakka-I Iwas and to Mor Theophilus George Saliba, Metropolitan of Mount Lebanon, the blessings and message of love and brotherhood of His Holiness Aram I.
THE HOLY SEE OF CILICIA ATTENDS THE HISTORIC MEETING OF REFORMED CHURCHES
06/23/2010
During 18-23 Junes 2010, Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian represented His Holiness Aram I at the historic meeting in Grand Rapids MI, where The World Alliance of Reformed Church (WARC) and the Reformed Ecumenical Council (REC) merged and formed The Communion of Reformed Churches. The leaders of Reformed churches hope that the new organization would respond better to their continued commitment to justice.
Bishop Tanielian conveyed to the new leadership of the Communion of Reformed Churches the greetings of His Holiness Aram I.
THE HOLY SEE OF CILICIA PARTICIPATES IN
THREE ECUMENICAL MEETINGS IN GENEVA
05/20/2010
During 17-20 May 2010, His Grace Bishop Nareg Alemezian represented the Catholicosate in three meetings. On 17 May he took part in the evaluation meeting of the Global Christian Forum. The participants assessed the activities of the Forum since 2007. Bishop Nareg, representing the Oriental Orthodox Family at this meeting emphasized the important role of the local Churches in the Middle East, and the necessity to respect local sensitivities. On 18 May he attended the expanded officers’ meeting of the Secretaries of Christian World Communions, and took part in the planning of the forthcoming annual meeting of the Secretaries.
As the Moderator of the Joint Committee between the Secretaries of Christian World Communions (CWCs) and the World Council of Churches, His Grace Bishop Nareg presided over its annual meeting 19-20 May 2010. The committee was established during the last WCC Assembly in order to encourage closer cooperation between the CWCs and the WCC. The members of the Committee analyzed challenges the ecumenical movement is facing today; reception by the churches recommendations of official bilateral dialogues; the contribution of CWCs to the 2011 WCC Peace Convocation, and finally the Assembly of the WCC in 2013.
THE ARMENIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH ATTENDS THE WCC ECUMENICAL OFFICERS’ MEETING
05/06/2010
The two Ecumenical Officers of the Armenian Orthodox Church, Bishop Hovaguim Manoukian of the Holy See of Etchmiadzin and Bishop Nareg Alemezian of the Holy See of Cilicia attended the meeting held 4-6 May 2010 at the Ecumenical Institute Bossey (Switzerland).
The meeting of the Ecumenical Officers of member churches of the World Council of Churches provides the opportunity for the staff of member churches to meet, share their experiences and concerns, and discuss WCC programmatic priorities.
Following greetings by the General Secretary of the WCC, the programme staff presented their plans for the coming year, and a thematic outline of the International Ecumenical Peace Convocation to be held in Kingston, Jamaica next year.
Bishop Nareg reported on the ecumenical implications of the recent visits of His Holiness Aram I to India as the guest of the Malankara Indian Orthodox Church, the Pontifical visit to the Church of Greece, and the visit of the Ecumenical Officer to the Church of Cyprus. The Bishop also mentioned the forthcoming interreligious dialogue with Iran to be held in Antelias.
A CHURCH TO CHURCH VISIT TO CYPRUS BY HIS GRACE BISHOP NAREG
05/03/2010
On behalf of His Holiness Aram I, the Ecumenical Officer of the Holy See of Cilicia Bishop Nareg Alemezian visited Cyprus from 26 April to 2 May 2010. The purpose of the visit was to strengthen and deepen the long-standing relationship between the Church of Cyprus and the Armenian Orthodox Church.
After the formal meeting with His Beatitude Archbishop of Nova Justiniana and all Cyprus, Chrysostomos II, Bishop Nareg accompanied by The Vicar-General of the Armenian Church of Cyprus Archbishop Varoujan Herkelian and Dr. Antranik Ashjian, President of the Executive Committee of the Church Council met with the Metropolitans heading the departments of the Church of Cyprus and Kikko Monastery.
During these encounters they discussed issues related to Orthodox participation in the WCC, the participation of the Catholicosate in the Forum of Civilizations, theological dialogues and Christian- Muslim Dialogue. On this last issue they affirmed the importance of pursuing the problem of divided Cyprus and the Armenian Genocide during the dialogues.
The official visit ended with a dinner offered by Archbishop Varoujan Herkelian and the National Council of the Church in honour of His Beatitude Chrisostomos at the Prelacey in Nicosia. During his speech the Archbishop thanked the Church for the visit, expressed his appreciation of the Leadership of His Holiness Aram I in the ecumenical movement, and thanked the Armenian community for their contribution to the Cypriot society.
REPRESENTATIVES OF CHURCHES AND CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES MEET FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ANTELIAS
04/06/2010
On Tuesday 6 April 2010, representatives of historic churches and recently established churches and communities met in Antelias upon the invitation of His Grace Bishop Nareg Alemezian, the Ecumenical Officer of Holy See of Cilicia.
After welcoming the guests, Bishop Nareg asked the participants to introduce themselves, the churches they represented, and the date the churches or communities were established in Lebanon or the Region. After the first round of introductions, Bishop Nareg asked them to describe briefly their vision and understanding of Christian unity, and recommend ways of cooperation and communication.
At the end, the group decided to continue such meetings and proposed to meet again in September 2010 in Antelias.
BISHOP NAREG REPRESENTS HIS HOLINESS ARAM I AT THE CELEBRATIONS OF THE PATRON SAINT OF DUBROVNIK, ST. BLAISE
02/07/2010
During 1-7 February 2010, His Grace Bishop Nareg, Director of Ecumenical Relations, represented His Holiness Aram I at the annual celebrations of the Patron Saint of Dubrovnik (Croatia), upon the invitation of Bishiop Gerlimir Poulic of Dubrovnik.
During the opening ceremony, Bishop Nareg read the message of His Holiness Aram. In his message the Catholicos said that St. Blaise was a popular saint specially of healing. The message then reminded the people that their Patron Saint had come to Croatia from Cilicia, and since then ties between the two churches and the people had remained strong. The message ended with the wish that the faith of the martyr Saint protected city always.
Bishop Nareg participated in the entire spiritual and cultural events organized around the relics of the Saint, as well as held private meetings with the Mayor of the City, Bishop Gerlimir, the members of the religious orders of the Franciscan and Dominican Orders for men and women. He also attended the concert organized by the Croato-Armenian Friendship Committee honoring Aram Khatchadourian.
In his interviews with the media, Bishop Nareg spoke of the significance of his presence as a representative of the Armenian Church. His presence he said, would renew the ties between the two peoples, because he was not coming from Cilicia but from Lebanon where the Catholicossate had found refuge after the Armenian Genocide.
"ECUMENISM NEEDS CLEAR ORIENTATION AND FOCUS"
HIS HOLINESS ARAM I
"Depicting the present state of the ecumenical movement in terms of crisis has become a general trend; I do not share this approach" stated His Holiness Aram I. He said that "seeking new vision, redefining its orientation, revising its agenda, restructuring its programmatic priorities are integral to the very nature of the ecumenical movement". Catholicos Aram, who has served 15 years a Moderator of the World Council of Churches, reminded that "with ecumenism we are dealing with movement, not institution, with vision not programme, with fellowship, not with management". Hence, according to Aram I reducing the ecumenical movement to its institutional expression will be the end of it.
Aram I believes that the ecumenical movement must remain "restless, in permanent crisis, seeking new ways of articling its vision". However, for Aram I the ecumenical movement is actually "disoriented, its focus is not clear and its raison d'être has become shaky. Here is the problem". In his view this situation is largely due to "non-committal ecumenism of the churches, as well as the shift of interest from church unity related issues to moral-ethical matters, inter-religious dialogue and confessional ecumenism".
His Holiness stressed the need for a "credible, relevant, reliable and responsive ecumenism, an ecumenism with which the churches can identify themselves". Aram I said that the discussion on the reconfiguration of the ecumenical movement that the WCC started must continue with the active participation of the churches.
These views of Aram I were shared with a few reporters at the end of the meeting of the International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Charities which was held at the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia, Antelias, Lebanon, from 27-30 January 2010.
REPORT
The Seventh Meeting of the International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue
Between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches
Antelias, Lebanon, January 27 to 31, 2010
The seventh meeting of the International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches took place at the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia in Antelias, Lebanon, from January 27 to 31, 2010. The meeting was graciously hosted by His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia. It was chaired jointly by His Eminence Cardinal Walter Kasper, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, and His Eminence Metropolitan Bishoy of Damiette, General Secretary of the Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church.
Joining delegates from the Catholic Church were representatives of the following Oriental Orthodox Churches: the Coptic Orthodox Church, the Syrian Orthodox Church, the Armenian Apostolic Church (Catholicosate of All Armenians), the Armenian Apostolic Church (Holy See of Cilicia), the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church, and the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. No representative of the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church was able to attend.
The two delegations met separately on January 27, and held plenary sessions each day from January 28 to January 30. Each day of the plenary sessions began with a common celebration of Morning Prayer. At its initial session, the members of the Joint Commission considered reactions to and evaluations of the agreed statement that it had issued one year earlier, “Nature, Constitution and Mission of the Church.” This document had been approved for publication by the Joint Commission and is now being considered by the authorities of their churches.
The studies prepared for this session focused on two topics: the ways in which the churches expressed their communion with one another in the first five centuries and the reception of councils. The papers presented included “Ecclesial Communion in Armenia and Surrounding Regions” by Rev. Fr. Boghos Levon Zekiyan, “The Order of Reception of the Ecumenical Councils in the Armenian Church and their Relation to the Other Local Councils” by Archbishop Yeznik Petrossian, “How Churches Understood the Reception of the Ecumenical Councils, How Churches Expressed their Communion in the First Five Centuries, and Whether Rome Was Given Any Special Role. From the Perspective of the Coptic Orthodox Church” by Metropolitan Bishoy of Damiette, “Communion and Councils: The Persian Church in the First Five Centuries” by Professor Dietmar W. Winkler, “Exercise of Communion in the Church of St. Thomas Christians in India” by Rev. Fr. Matthew Vellanickal, and “The Reception of the Three Ecumenical Councils by the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church” by Rev. Fr. John Matthews.
During the course of the meeting, which took place in a friendly and cordial atmosphere, the members carefully examined the papers presented and reached a number of conclusions. It was noted that until the middle of the fifth century, the churches did not exist in isolation, but were in communion with one other. Signs of this communion included the exchange of synodical letters and letters of enthronement, the veneration of common saints, the exchange of visits and, above all, sharing in the sacraments, especially the Holy Eucharist. This communion was based on an understanding that the churches shared the same faith, and willingness to defend it together against heresies and other threats. They also saw themselves as engaged in the same mission of evangelizing the nations. This was often a “horizontal communion” where churches were most intensely in relation to neighboring churches in the same region, but also with other churches throughout the world.
On the morning of January 27, the members of the Joint Commission, together with His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, paid a visit to His Excellency Michel Sleiman, the President of Lebanon, in the Presidential Palace at Baabda. The President welcomed the delegation to his country and presented his condolences to the representatives of the Ethiopian Church over the crash of an Ethiopian airplane near Beirut on Monday, January 25. In his remarks, the President observed that recent events had illustrated the importance of including minorities in the political life of nations. He said that Lebanon is an example of this political inclusiveness since the constitution gives all the country’s ethnic and religious communities a political role whatever their numerical size. He also emphasized the need to organize capitalism in democratic countries in a way that protects the interests of minorities, especially the poor and the vulnerable.
On the evening of the same day, the Joint Commission members were received by His Beatitude and Eminence Cardinal Mar Nasrallah Butros Sfeir, Patriarch of the Maronite Church, at the patriarchate in Bkerké. During an ecumenical prayer service in the patriarchal chapel, the Patriarch extended a warm welcome to his guests, and spoke highly of the agreed statement finalized by the Joint Commission in January 2009. This text, the Patriarch stated, “presents the ecclesiological tradition common to all those churches, a tradition which remained plentiful and sound, in spite of 1500 years of separation.” He also spoke of the positive ecumenical relations that exist among the churches of Lebanon, and wished the members great success in their meeting, which he saw as a sign of encouragement and hope. After the prayer service, His Beatitude hosted a dinner for the Joint Commission members and the spiritual heads of Christian communities in Lebanon.
On the morning of January 28, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I received the members of the Joint Commission. In his remarks, the Catholicos offered his views on the present state of ecumenism, and said that he has come to a renewed appreciation of the work of the bilateral dialogues. He had studied the 2009 agreed statement carefully and appreciated it very much. His Holiness said that in the dialogues the members must never loose sight of the many things we have in common, and not focus exclusively on our differences. He was critical of a tendency of some ecumenical circles to divert their attention to more social issues. He expressed the hope that the Joint International Commission would endeavor to bring about visible unity of the Church, an objective that he as Moderator of the World Council of Churches had worked to achieve. After meeting the Catholicos, the group prayed at the memorial to the Armenian genocide of 1915 on the grounds of the Catholicosate. On the evening of the same day, the Catholicos hosted an official dinner at the Catholicosate that was attended by the spiritual heads of Christian communities in Lebanon, Armenian members of the Lebanese government and parliament, and Brotherhood and Central Executive Council members of the Holy See of Cilicia.
On January 29, the co-chairmen held a press conference at the invitation of Bishop Beshara Raï, the President of the Episcopal Commission for Social Communications. It took place at the Catholic Information Center, which is under the direction of the Assembly of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops of Lebanon. Bishop Nareg Alemezian, Ecumenical Officer of the Holy See of Cilicia, introduced the co-chairmen, and highlighted that “the presence in Lebanon of our brothers from the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches is an occasion of spiritual joy and a sign of solidarity with our churches in the Middle East.” Cardinal Kasper spoke of the importance of the participation of the faithful in the dialogue because the unity of the Church concerns the whole people of God and not theologians alone. Metropolitan Bishoy described the history of the composition of the Joint Commission from the preparatory meeting in 2003 until this seventh meeting. He added that the Commission meets alternatively in Rome and in countries where Oriental Orthodox are present. On the evening of the same day, the members of the Joint Commission attended a dinner hosted by Metropolitan George Saliba.
On Sunday January 31, the members of the Joint Commission attended the Holy Eucharist in the Cathedral of the Catholicosate of Cilicia presided over by His Holiness Catholicos Aram I. Cardinal Kasper preached the homily.
The eighth meeting of the International Commission will take place in Rome at the invitation of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. Arrivals will be on January 24, 2011. The two delegations will meet separately on January 25, and participate in the conclusion of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. This will be followed by plenary sessions on January 26, 27 and 28, with departures on January 29. At the eighth plenary meeting, the members of the Commission will deepen their study of the communion and communication that existed between our churches until the mid-fifth century of Christian history, as well as the role played by monasticism.
The members of the Commission are:
Representatives of the Oriental Orthodox Churches (in alphabetical order)
Antiochian Syrian Orthodox Church: H.E. Mor Theophilus George Saliba, Archbishop of Mount Lebanon, Secretary of the Holy Synod of the Syrian Orthodox Church, Beirut, Lebanon; H.E. Kuriakose Theophilose, Metropolitan of the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Theological Seminary and President of the Ecumenical Secretariat of the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church in India, Ernakulam, India;
Armenian Apostolic Church: Catholicosate of all Armenians: H.E. Khajag Barsamian, Archbishop of the Eastern Diocese of the USA, New York (Represented by H.G. Armash Nalbandian, Armenian Orthodox Church Diocese of Damascus); H.E. Archbishop Yeznik Petrossian, General Secretary of Inter-Church Affairs of the Holy See of Etchmiadzin, Armenia;
Armenian Apostolic Church: Holy See of Cilicia: H.E. Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy in the USA, New York; H.G. Bishop Nareg Alemezian, Ecumenical Officer of the Holy See of Cilicia, Antelias, Lebanon;
Coptic Orthodox Church: H.E. Anba Bishoy (co-chair), Metropolitan of Damiette, Egypt, General Secretary of the Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church; Rev. Fr. Shenouda Maher Ishak, West Henrietta, New York, USA; H.G. Bishop Daniel of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Sydney, Australia (observer);
Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church: Rev. Fr. Kaleab Gebreselassie Gebru, Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Patriarchate, Asmara, Eritrea (unable to attend);
Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church: Rev. Fr. Megabe Biluy Seife Selassie Yohannes, Ethiopian Orthodox Patriarchate, Addis Ababa (unable to attend). The Ethiopian Church was represented at this meeting by H.E. Archbishop Demetrios of the United Arab Emirates and Lebanon; Rev. Fr. Abba Gebre Kidan of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church of Lebanon;
Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church: H.E. Metropolitan Dr. Gabriel Mar Gregorios, President of the Department of Ecumenical Relations, Diocese of Trivandrum, India; Rev. Dr. John Mathews (co-secretary), Secretary of the Department of Ecumenical Relations, Kottayam, India.
Representatives of the Catholic Church
His Eminence Cardinal Walter Kasper (co-chair), President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity;
Most Reverend Paul-Werner Scheele, Bishop Emeritus of Würzburg, Germany;
Most Reverend Youhanna Golta, Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop of the Coptic Catholic Patriarchate, Cairo, Egypt;
Most Reverend Jules Mikhael Al-Jamil, Procurator of the Syrian Catholic Patriarchate to the Holy See and Apostolic Visitator in Europe, Rome;
Most Reverend Peter Marayati, Armenian Catholic Archbishop of Aleppo, Syria;
Most Reverend Woldetensae Ghebreghiorghis, Apostolic Vicar of Harar, Ethiopia, President of the Ecumenical Commission of the Catholic Church in Ethiopia and Eritrea;
Rev. Fr. Frans Bouwen M.Afr., Consultant to the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity; Jerusalem;
Rev. Fr. Columba Stewart, OSB, Executive Director, Hill Museum and Manuscript Library, St. John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota, USA;
Rev. Fr. Ronald G. Roberson, CSP, Associate Director of the Secretariat for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, US Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC, USA;
Rev. Fr. Paul Rouhana, OLM, Université Saint-Esprit, Kaslik, Jounieh, Lebanon;
Rev. Fr. Mark Sheridan, OSB, Pontificio Ateneo S. Anselmo, Rome;
Rev. Fr. Mathew Vellanickal, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Changanacherry, India;
Rev. Fr. Boghos Levon Zekiyan, Pontifical Oriental Institute, Rome;
Prof. Dietmar W. Winkler, Consultant to the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, Salzburg, Austria.
Rev. Fr. Gabriel Quicke, official of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, Rome (co-secretary).
Antelias, Lebanon, January 31, 2010
THE THEOLOGICAL DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
AND THE ORIENTAL ORTHODOX CHURCHES CONTINUE IN ANTELIAS
01/27/2010
During the past two days the representatives of the Catholic and Oriental Orthodox Churches have been discussing their churches’ reception of the decisions of the early ecumenical councils, the impact this reception had on eucharistic communion and the role of Rome.
Archbishop Yeznik Bedrossian, Armenian Orthodox Church, and Father Levon Zekian, Armenian Catholic Church, presented papers on the topic by citing Armenian sources. H.E. Metropolitan Bishoy of Damiette presented the Coptic position by citing Coptic sources. The floor was then opened for plenary discussion and clarification.
In the second part of the dialogue, Father Mathew Velanikar of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian church spoke of his church’s reception of the early ecumenical council, and Dr. Ditmer Winkler presented a paper on the position of the churches in the Persian Empire. Following the presentations and discussions, Father Johan Mathew from the Malankara Church explained the reasons why his church had accepted the first three ecumenical councils.
The meeting of the Theological Dialogue Commission ended with a press conference, participated in by the two co-moderators, H.E. Walter Cardinal Kasper and H.E. Metropolitan Bishoy, along with Bishop Nareg Alemezian. In the evening, the participants were invited to dinner by Mor Theophilus George Saliba, Metropolitan of Mount Lebanon, at the Syrian Orthodox Archbishopric.
HIS HOLINESS BASILILIOS MAR THOMA DIDMOS I, CATHOLICOS OF THE MALANKARA ORTHODOX SYRIAN CHURCH INVITES HIS HOLINESS ARAM I TO INDIA
01/29/2010
His Holiness Aram I has been holding private meetings with the representatives of the churches taking part in the International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue Between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches.
On Friday 29 January 2010, he met with Bishops Gabriel Mar Gregorios and Mathew Velanikal of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church.
The Bishops transmitted the brotherly love of their Patriarch, briefed Catholicos Aram on the latest developments in their Church and handed a letter from Catholicos Didmos I inviting His Holiness Aram I to visit India.
After thanking the Catholicos for the invitation, His Holiness Aram I and the guests discussed relations between the two sister churches.
"BILATERAL DIALOGUES MUST SHIFT THEIR EMPHASIS FROM CONSENSUS-ORIENTED
AGREEMENT TO CONVERGENCE-ORIENTED PROCESSES"
ARAM I
01/28/2010
Addressing the International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches, meeting at the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia, Antelias, Lebanon, His Holiness Aram I emphasized the crucial importance of bilateral dialogues for the future course of the ecumenical movement. He said that multilateralism and bilateralism need to be taken in their inter-connectedness, complementing and strengthening each other on the way towards the visible unity of the church.
Referring to the theological dialogue between the Oriental Orthodox Churches and the Catholic Churches, the Catholicos reminded that in the course of history several initiatives have been made in the form of ecumenical encounter, theological talks and joint actions between the Catholic Church and the churches of the Oriental Orthodox family. In 2003 these churches formally embarked on theological dialogue. Catholicos Aram I drew the attention of the Joint Commission to the following points:
1.- After so many years of christocentric ecumenism, he said that the last decade has witnessed an increasing move towards ecclesiocentric ecumenism. According to His Holiness, ecclesiology must remain a priority on the ecumenical agenda. The churches have different concepts of unity because they have different ecclesiological teachings; the churches are divided in respect to ethical issues, because they have different ecclesiological self-understanding. Catholicos Aram also emphasized the need to develop a holistic perspective which will enable the churches to have interactive approach to ecclesiology, ethics and missiology.
2.- His Holiness reminded that the churches are existentially exposed to the moral-ethical repercussions of secularism, syncretism and of so many "ism"s, and are more divided in their response to these issues than in doctrinal matters. Therefore, he strongly suggested that bilateral dialogues seriously tackle these issues and their theological and pastoral implications.
3.- According to His Holiness, who has a long experience in bilateral dialogues, these dialogues must shift their emphasis from consensus-oriented agreement to convergence-oriented processes. In his opinion, consensus implies negotiation within a given time-frame; it is a static reality while convergence is a dynamic process which is not confined to any time-line and agenda and provides open space for greater and creative interaction.
4.- His Holiness also proposed to develop a new perception of reception that involves the whole people of God. He said that the findings of bilateral dialogues must be appropriated by the people; otherwise they become sheer academic exercise. He said that people-oriented reception process implies awareness-building and collaboration on the local level. Reaching out to the people must become an ecumenical priority, otherwise ecumenism will lose its relevance and credibility.
5.- Aram I underscored the need to affirm the commonalties that exist among the churches. Bilateral theological dialogues deal with controversial issues and project the divided image of Christianity. We must affirm our God-given unity, at the same time articulating our commitment to heal the brokenness of the church. This must become our ecumenical strategy, stated His Holiness Aram I.
HIS HOLINESS ARAM I AND CARDINAL WALTER KASPER MEET IN ANTELIAS
01/27/2010
On Wednesday 2010, His Holiness Aram I and H.E. Cardinal Walter Kasper, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, held a private meeting within the context of the meeting of the International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches.
Among other issues they discussed the contribution of bilateral theological dialogues to ecumenical relations.
The meeting will be concluded on Sunday 31 January with the Holy Liturgy at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral where the Cardinal will preach.
HIS HOLINESS ARAM I AND THE MEMBERS OF THE CATHOLIC AND ORIENTAL ORTHODOX THEOLOGICAL DIALOGUE COMMISSION VISIT THE PRESIDENT OF LEBANON
01/27/2010
On Wednesday 27 January the International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches, currently meeting in Antelias, visited the President H.E. Michel Suleiman. After introducing the members of the delegation to the President, His Holiness Aram I explained the purpose of the commission and the importance of its work in promoting ecumenical relations.
The President welcomed the guests and expressed his appreciation of their work. He then spoke briefly about the political situation in Lebanon and the region. At the end of the visit, the delegates thanked the President and hoped that the unity government will bring peace to the country.
ANTELIAS HOSTS THE SEVENTH MEETING OF THE INTERNATIONAL JOINT COMMISSION FOR THEOLOGICAL DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND THE ORIENTAL ORTHODOX CHURCHES
01/25/2010
Upon the invitation of His Holiness Aram I, the Commission will meet in Antelias 26-31 January 2010. Delegates appointed by the Holy See of Etchmiadzin and the Holy See of Cilicia represent the Armenian Church on this Commission. Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Archbishop of the Eastern Diocese in USA, and Bishop Nareg Alemezian, the Ecumenical Officer are the representatives of the Holy See of Cilicia.
The Commission will discuss the role of Ecumenical Councils in the Early Church. On Sunday, 31 January during the closing Liturgy at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral, His Excellency Walter Cardinal Kasper, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity will give the sermon.
LECTURES ON THE ARMENIAN CHURCH IN ANTELIAS FOR THE STUDENTS OF THE NEAR EAST SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY (NEST)
11/24/2009
For the eighth consecutive year Dr George Sabra accompanied his students to Antelias for a study trip to the Armenian Church; the students were exposed to its life, activities and witness in the Middle East. The Near East School of Theology belongs to the Evangelical churches and its students come from all over the world to learn about Middle East Christianity.
On 24 November 2009, His Grace Bishop Nareg, the Ecumenical Officer of the Catholicosate, welcomed Dr Sabra and his students. After an introductory presentation on the Armenian Church, he spoke of “The Witness of the Armenian Church in the Middle East”. During the question-answer period the students wanted to know more about the challenges to the Catholicosate of Cilicia in transmitting the Spirituality of the Church to the Armenian Diaspora and in building ecumenical relations.
The students also visited the Cathedral, the Cilicia Museum and the Martyrs Memorial.
THE ARMENIAN CHURCH PARTICIPATES IN THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE SECRETARIES OF CHRISTIAN WORLD COMMUNIONS
11/15/2009
11-15 November 2009, the Secretaries of Christian World Communions (CWCs) met at Canterbury, London. Around thirty persons representing the major Christian families attended the meeting. His Grace Bishop Nareg Alamezian the Ecumenical Officer represented the Armenian Church.
In his report to the meeting, Bishop Nareg informed the participants of the ecumenical and interreligious work of the Catholicosate, and the theological dialogue between the three Oriental churches under the auspices of the Meeting of the Heads of the Oriental Orthodox Churches.
While in Canterbury he met with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams and transmitted the greetings of His Holiness Aram I. He also met with Revd. Alyson Barnett Cowan Director of Ecumenical Relations of the Anglican Consultative Council, and exchanged views on ecumenical relations.
HIS HOLINESS ARAM I IS INVITED TO THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE CATHOLIC PATRIARCHS IN THE MIDDLE EAST
10/12/2009
His Grace Bishop Kegham Khatcherian, Primate of Lebanon recently represented His Holiness Aram I at the annual meeting of the Catholic Patriarchs in the Middle East. The Patriarchs had invited the Orthodox Churches in order to strengthen the visible unity of the churches in the region. In addition to affirming Christian presence in the Middle East, they also discussed issues of baptism, and mixed-marriages and their implications on laws of personal statutes in different countries of the Middle East.
THE ARMENIAN CHURCH PARTICIPATES IN THE MEETING OF THE CHURCHES IN THE COUNTRIES OF THE GULF REGION
09/17/2009
14-17 September 2009, representatives of churches in the Gulf Region, ecumenical partners, staff of the Middle East Council of Churches and the World Council of Churches met in Bahrain. The purpose of the meeting was beginning the development of an ecumenical platform for the Region.
Archbishop Gorun Babyan, Legate of the Catholicos for Kuwait and the Gulf Region, Mrs. Teny Simonian, Vice-President of the Ecumenical Relations Committee represented the Catholicosate of Cilicia at the meeting.
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ARMENIAN CHURCH TAKE PART IN
ORTHODOX MEETING IN LEROS
09/17/2009
15-22 September 2009, representatives of Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Churches met on the Greek island of Leros, to prepare Orthodox contribution to the World Council of Churches' International Ecumenical Peace Convocation in 2011, which will be hosted by the city of Kingston, Jamaica.
The Armenian Church was represented by Bishop Nareg Alemezian (Catholicosate of Cilicia) and Rev. Kevork Saroyan (Catholicosate of Etchmiadzin). The Church brought its active participation through Bishop Nareg Alemezian who lead a Bible Study and moderated two plenary sessions.
THE TWO REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ARMENIAN CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA PARTICIPATE ACTIVELY IN THE DELIBERATIONS OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES
08/26/2009
On 26 August the meeting of the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches began in Geneva. In the first part of agenda the members received the reports of the Moderator and the General Secretary, met as regional groups, and discussed the venue of the next Assembly in 2013. After approving the agenda of the forthcoming International Ecumenical Peace Convocation (IEPC) to be held in Jamaica in May 2011, the Committee elected the new General Secretray, Norwegian theologian and pastor Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit,. He will be succeeding outgoing general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia.
After plenary sessions the members of the Central Committee met in committees. His Grace Bishop Nareg Alemezian chaired the Policy Reference Committee and Dr. Nora Bayrakdarian-Kabakian participated in the work of the Public Issues Committee and presented to the plenary the report on the Middle East.
On Sunday 30 August 2009, during the farewell in honor of the outgoing General Secretary Rev. Dr. Samuel Kobia, His Grace Bishop Nareg read the message of His Holiness Aram I, who has been Moderator of the World Council of Churches Central and Executive Committees for two terms (1991-2006).
The next meeting of the Central Committee will be held in February 2011.
The Armenian Church has four members at the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches. Archbishop Vicken Aykazian and Ms. Paula Devedzian, representing the Holy See of Etchmiadzin, and Bishop Nareg Alemezian and Dr. Nora Bayrakdarian-Kabakian, representing the Holy See of Cilicia.
THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES’ (WCC) CENTRAL COMMITTEE MEMBERS OF THE ARMENIAN CHURCH, CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA LEAVE FOR SWITZERLAND
09/25/2009
Tuesday 25 September 2009, His Grace Bishop Nareg Alemezian and Dr. Nora Bayrakdarian-Kabakian left for Geneva this morning to attend the Central Committee meeting of the WCC, which will be held 26 August to 2 September at the Ecumenical Centre (Geneva). In addition to reviewing and supervising the activities and finances of the Council, the Central Committee will elect a new General Secretary to replace Rev. Samuel Kobia and decide upon the venue of the next Assembly.
THE ARMENIAN CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA TOOK PART IN THE INTERNATIONAL MEETING ON “INTERFAITH DIALOGUE” IN VIENNA, AUSTRIA ON JULY 13 TO 18 ORGANIZED BY THE SAUDI KING ABDULLAH BIN ABDUL AZIZ
07/14/2009
July 13-14 2009, the Follow-up Committee on World Conference on Dialogue held its meeting in Vienna. This meeting of religious institutions and important personalities was a follow-up to the meetings organized by the Saudi King in Mecca and Madrid. His Holiness Aram I was the only Christian Religious Leader represented. Bishop Kegham Khatcherian transmitted the message of Catholicos Aram I to the meeting.
At the end of two-day deliberations, the declaration of the meeting urged King Abdullah to continue the process in order to help identify values common to all religions, cultures, and civilizations and promote justice, tolerance and peaceful coexistence among people.
HIS GRACE BISHOP NAREG CONGRATULATES THE NEWLY APPOINTED DIOCESAN BISHOP OF ANTWERP ON BEHALF OF THE ARMENIAN CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA
On the occasion of the appointment of Father Yohan Boni as Bishop of Antwerp in Belgium his Holiness Aram I asked the Ecumenical Officer, Bishop Nareg Alemezian to convey his blessings and good wishes personally to the new Bishop of Antwerp.
Prior to his appointment as Diocesan Bishop, Father Boni was in charge of Relations with Oriental Orthodox Churches at the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity in Vatican (Rome). During this period he worked closely with the Catholicosate.
AN ECUMENICAL CELEBRATION IN LEBANON CONCLUDES THE “PAULINE YEAR”
06/29/2009
On Tuesday June 29 2009, an ecumenical celebration concluded the “Pauline Year” inaugurated by Pope Benedict XVI. The ceremony was held at the Melkite Greek Catholic Basilica of St. Paul in Harissa, where His Eminence Archbishop Komitas Ohanian represented His Holiness Aram I.
His Eminence Cardinal André Vingt-Trois, the Papal representative presided at the celebration because Lebanon was one of the seven places associated with St. Paul. All speakers highlighted the ministry of Paul through his message and writings, and considered him as a role model for the church and priests for all times.
The “Pauline Year” encouraged many ecumenical activities in Lebanon where Rev. Meguerditch Keshishian represented the Diocese of Lebanon on behalf of the Prelate Bishop Kegham Khatcherian, and the Choir of the Diocese sang Armenian Church Hyms at the closing ceremony.
BISHOP NAREG CHAIRS THE JOINT COMMITTEE BETWEEN THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES AND CHRISTIAN WORLD COMMUNIONS
06/23/2009
22-23 June 2009, Bishop Nareg Alemezian, the Ecumenical Officer of the Catholicosate chaired the annual meeting of the Committee between the World Council of Churches and Secretaries of Christian World Communions. In his welcome, he expressed his optimism about their work and said: “I am convinced that our cooperation as churches through councils and Christian world communions will continue bearing its fruit as we continue to respond together to the challenges of the 21st century.”
After hearing brief reports on ecumenical relations from the participants, the committee discussed modes of cooperation on the following issues: Christian-Muslim relations; Joint Assemblies; Bilateral Dialogues and Christian Unity; 2011 International Peace Convocation organized by the WCC.
The committee is expected to report to the 8th Assembly.
HIS HOLINESS ARAM I
REPRESENTED BY HIS EMINENCE ARCHBISHOP SEBOUH SARKISSIAN AT THE “REVITALIZING CHRISTIAN-MUSLIM DIALOGUE”
CONFERENCE HELD IN BEIRUT
06/11/2009
On June 11 2009, a joint Iran-Lebanon Christian-Muslim Conference was held in Beirut, sponsored by the Cultural Section of the Embassy of Iran in Lebanon, the National Committee for Christian-Muslim Dialogue in Lebanon, The Antonine University, The Arab Dialogue Group and the Centre for Studies and Research in Religion and Philosophy.
The conference brought together Iranian and Lebanese religious leaders, political leaders and specialists on interreligious dialogue. Among the speakers were: Mr. Mohammed Hussein Rais Zadeh, the Cultural Attaché of Iran in Lebanon, Dr. Mohammed Sammak (Lebanon), Dr. Rassouli Pour (Iran), Ms. Pascal Lahoud, Sheikh Chafic Jaradi and Rev. Ryad Jarjour (Lebanon). While the speakers addressed the topic from different perspectives, each one emphasized the need to revitalize Christian-Muslim Dialogue both on official and popular levels as a precondition to sustainable relations.
BISHOP NAREG INVITED TO LECTURE ON THE ARMENIAN CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA TO THE ECUMENICAL COMMUNITY IN SALZBURG
05/21/2009
Upon the invitation of the Catholic University in Salzburg, Bishop Nareg Alemezian, the Ecumenical Officer of the Catholicosate visited Salzburg 19-21 May 2009. The programme began with a formal visit to the Archdiocese where he met with Archbishop Alois Kothgasser, S.D.B. The Archbishop had been in Lebanon during the civil war as the President of Salzburg's CARITAS Catholic organization, and was interested in the role of the Armenian Catholicosate in the Lebanese context and in Christian-Muslim relations. He was also interested in knowing more on Christian presence and witness in the Middle East. At the end of the meeting, in the name of His Holiness Aram I Bishop Nareg invited the Archbishop to visit Lebanon.
After this formal visit Bishop Nareg lectured at the Catholic University and at the Foundation Pro Oriente. At the University he spoke of “The Armenian Orthodox Church Today,” and at Pro Oriente he spoke of “The Participation of the Armenian Orthodox Church in the Ecumenical Movement”. Both presentations were followed by discussions.
The programme to Salzburg ended with a visit to Austria’s oldest monasteries, a Benedictinine Abbey and Nunnery.
On Ascension Sunday Bishop Nareg attended the Mass at the Salzburg Cathedral where Archbishop Alois Kothgasser, S.D.B. welcomed him formally and asked him to convey his greeting to His Holiness Aram I.
HIS GRACE BISHOP NAREG ATTENDS THE SEARCH COMMITTEE MEETING OF THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES (WCC)
04/04/2009
From April 1-4 2009, the Search Committee of the WCC met on the Island of Crete. His Grace Bishop Nareg, Director of Ecumenical Relations of the Catholicosate of The Holy See of Cilica, and a member of the Central Committee of the WCC, is one of the members of the Committee. The task of the Committee is to recommend candidates for the Position of General Secretary to the Executive Committee.
Members of the Committee heard from member churches and ecumenical bodies regarding their expectations from a WCC General Secretary; they received an evaluation report from the Presidents and the staff on the role of the General Secretary, and screened new applications. In the end of their deliberations, they prepared a report for the Executive Committee meeting in September 2009. The new General Secretary is expected to take office on January 1 2009.
AN EXPERTS’ GROUP MEETS TO CONTINUE ECUMENICAL CONVERSATION ON CHRISTIAN SELF-UNDERSTANDING IN RELATION TO ISLAM
04/01/2009
29 March to 1 April a group of experts from WCC member churches and confessional families, scholars and educators met at the Ecumenical Institute Bossey, near Geneva. Mrs. Teny Pirri-Simonian was invited to join the group as representative of the Armenian Orthodox Church Catholicosate of Cilicia.
The purpose of the meeting to study the listeners’ report prepared at an earlier meeting held at Chavannes de Bogis near Geneva in October 2008. The experts also discussed the keynote speech of His Holiness Aram I entitled “Living As A Community With Islam - Concerns, Challenges And Promises, and other papers presented at the first meeting The participants agreed that it was not possible to speak with one Christian voice, yet it was important to prepare together any Christian-Muslim dialogue. They also emphasized the political context in which such dialogues happen, and the role of power. At the end of the meeting they proposed a framework to be discussed by WCC Programme staff and the Secretaries of Christian World Communions.
THE ARMENIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH ATTENDS THE MEETING OF THE COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS (CCIA) OF THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES
03/20/2009
The Commission on International Affairs of the World Council of Churches met 15-20 March 2009 in the Carribbean Islands. Commissioner Mrs. Vana Der Ohannessian represented the Catholicosate of Cilicia.
The global economic crisis and the response of the ecumenical movement were at the center of CCIA’s discussions. The commissioners also discussed matters of political urgency and interreligious issues affecting the lives of the churches. The geographic context of the meeting also provided the opportunity for the commissioners to discover the vibrant Christian churches in the region.
THE ASSEMBLY DISCERNMENT COMMITTEE (ADC) OF THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES PREPARES ITS REPORT TO THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE
03/19/2009
The ADC met for the second time in Dortweil near Frankfurt in Germany 16-19 March 2009. Mrs. Teny Pirri-Simonian attended the meeting on behalf of Dr. Nora Bayrakdarian, a member of the WCC Central Committee.
The mandate of the group was to propose to the Central Committee new models for an expanded Assembly. The ADC affirmed that it was possible to create space for greater participation and involvement from those ecumenical actors that are already in relationship with the WCC such as, Christian World Communions (CWCs), Regional Ecumenical Organizations (REOs), National council of Churches (NCCs), and other ecumenical partners. They also underlined the importance of preserving the integrity and uniqueness of the WCC as a fellowship of churches, as well as the ethos and method of consensus. In their report to the Central Committee in September 2009, they said that such an Assembly would become meaningful only when a new matrix of relationships is designed. ADC hoped that the new Assembly Planning Committee would plan differently than earlier Assemblies.
THE ARMENIAN CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA ATTENDS THE “INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER”
CELEBRATION BY FRANCOPHONE CHURCHES IN LEBANON
03/08/2009
On the occasion of the “International Day of Prayer”, on March 8 the French Speaking Evangelical Church in Lebanon organized a service at the Evangelical Church in Koraytem. Reverend Robert Sarkissian, the pastor of the community had also invited the Armenian Orthodox Church to join them in their prayers. Bishop Nareg Alemezian the Ecumenical Officer of the Catholicosate attended the service on behalf of His Holiness Aram I.
Bishop Alemezian offered an intercessory prayer on behalf of those suffering from injustice, and thanked Pastor Sarkissian and the organizers of the Day.
H.E. ARCHBISHOP SEBOUH SARKISSIAN REPRESENTS HIS HOLINESS ARAM I AT THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON PALESTINE IN IRAN
03/04/2009
Since Wednesday 4 March 2009, Iran is hosting a two-day international Conference on Palestine in Tehran. His Holiness Aram I was personally invited to this Conference through the Iranian Embassy in Lebanon. Due to prior commitments, His Holiness Aram I delegated Archbishop Sebouh Sarkissian, the Primate of the Armenian Orthodox Diocese of Tehran (Iran) to represent the Catholicossate.
Mr. Nabih Berri, the Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament, is heading the Lebanese delegation to this conference.
“CHRISTIAN PRESENCE IN IRAQ” ONE-DAY CONFERENCE IN WHICH THE ARMENIAN CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA PARTICIPATES
02/19/2009
On Thursday 19 February 2009, under the auspices of the Maronite Patriarch in Lebanon, H.B. Nasrallah Sfeir, the University of “Sayadat Loueizi” organized a one-day conference dedicated to Christian Presence in Iraq.
Archbishop Komitas Ohanian represented the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia. Other participants at the conference included representatives of the Chaldean Church, the Syrian Orthodox Church and the Assyrian Church, as well as representatives of local churches in Iraq and university professors.
The participants discussed the contribution of Christians in the reconstruction of Iraq and Iraqi society. They emphasized the importance of Christian-Muslim dialogue in promoting cooperation and reconciliation among the Iraqi people.
Embracing Diversity
An International Symposium of Christian-Muslim European Women was held under auspices of His Holiness Aram I
02/12/2009
On Thursday 12 February 2009, the second course of the European Project for Inter-religious Learning (EPIL) came to its conclusion at the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia, in Lebanon. To mark the process two important events were organized. First a graduation ceremony where the 25 students presented their projects to the Academic Team Members and to the co-founders and Co-Directors Mrs. Teny Simonian and Dr. Reinhild Traitler. Prof. Ulrich Becker, the president of EPIL made the keynote address and gave the Diplomas.
In the afternoon the International Symposium was held under the auspices of His Holiness Aram I. The Symposium brought together academics, dialogue experts, theologians both from Lebanon and Europe. Among the speakers were Dr. Tarek Mitri, Minister of Information, Mr. Ibrahim Shamseddine, Minister of Administrative Reform, Dr. Manuela Kalsky, Director of the Dominican Study Center in Netherlands, and Dr. Nayla Tabbara, Saint Joseph University, Lebanon.
In his closing speech His Holiness Aram I said that “in today’s European societies where Islam is an integral part. Women should highlight the importance of living together by accepting differences, and showing their respective societies that Christianity and Islam can live together.”
EPIL is a two-year five-module Roaming College for European Christian and Muslim Women. The goal of the project is to build mutual trust among women. The students travel to five cities, Zurich, Vienna, Sarajevo and Cologne and Beirut to highlight different aspects of the curricula aimed at trust building. The course ends since Lebanon is considered to be an example of a country where people are committed to staying together, and still searching models for reconciliation. Education happens through living together, traveling together, and by learning together through encounters and theoretical work.
The project grew out of the experience of Dr. Reinhild Traitler as Study Director at the Boldern Protestant Academy in Zurich, and Mrs. Teny Simonian as staff of the World Council of Churches, when His Holiness Aram I was the Moderator.
The Lebanese module was made possible through partnership with Alwaleed Bin Talal Humanitarian Foundation in Lebanon, the Arab Countries, the World Council of Churches, and contributions from The Bank Beirut and Arab Countries and many parishes in Germany and Switzerland.
THE SIXTH MEETING OF DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE ROMAN CATHOLIC AND ORIENTAL ORTHODOX CHURCHES WAS HELD IN ROME
01/30/2009
25-30 January 2009, the members of the committee representing the two families of churches met in Rome.
The Armenian Orthodox Church was represented by four high-ranking clergy. Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Primate of the Eastern Diocese of USA, and Bishop Nareg Alemezian,, Director of Ecumenical Relations, the Holy See of Cilicia and Archbishop Khajak Barsamian Primate of the Eastern Diocese of USA, and Bishop Yeznik Bedrossian, Director of Ecumenical Relations, Holy See of Etchmiadzin.
Before starting deliberations, on January 25 the members of the Dialogue Committee participated in the evening prayers of the Roman Catholic Church celebrating the beginning of the Week of Prayers for Christian Unity, presided by Pope Benedict XVIth. On 26 January the representatives of all Oriental Orthodox Churches met to share information and discuss the agenda.
In its plenary sessions the mixed committee received the conclusions of the major thematic study “The Church and its Mission”, and discussed two topics, “The Relationship Between The Churches During The First Five Centuries Of Christianity”, and “Reception of Early Church Councils by Churches”.
The meeting ended by an audience with His Holiness Pope Benedict XVIth. The Committee will meet for its Seventh Session during 24-30 January, at the Catholicosate of the Armenian Orthodox Church in Antelias Lebanon.
Here are excerpts from the general audience of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI on Wednesday, January 21, 2009, in Paul VI Hall, at the Vatican:
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity began last Sunday and will conclude this Sunday. This is a beautiful spiritual initiative, which is spreading more and more among Christians, in harmony, and we could say, in response to the pressing invocation that Jesus directed to the Father from the Upper Room: "That they may all be one, that the world may believe that you sent me" (John 17:21).
This year, the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity proposes for our meditation and prayer words taken from the book of the prophet Ezekiel: "That They May Become One in Your Hand" (37:17). The theme was chosen by an ecumenical group from Korea and then revised for its international use by the Mixed Committee of Prayer, formed by representatives of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and the World Council of the Churches of Geneva.
The week is also a conducive occasion for thanking the Lord for how much he has conceded already "to join" one to another, divided Christians, and the Churches themselves and ecclesial communities. This spirit has animated the Catholic Church, which, during the last year, has progressed with firm conviction and sure hope, maintaining fraternal and respectful relations with all the Churches and ecclesial communities of East and West. In the diversity of situations, sometimes more positive, and sometimes more difficult, it has worked to never fail in the effort of implementing every effort for the restoration of full unity. The relationships between the Churches and the theological dialogues have continued giving encouraging signs of spiritual convergence. I myself have had the joy of meeting, here in the Vatican and in the course of my apostolic trips, Christians coming from every horizon.
I have welcomed with joy on three occasions the ecumenical patriarch, His Holiness Bartholomew I, and -- an extraordinary happening -- we heard him take the floor, with fraternal ecclesial warmth and with convinced trust in the future, during the recent assembly of the synod of bishops. I have had the pleasure of receiving the two catholicoi of the Armenian Apostolic Church, His Holiness Karekin II of Etchmiadzin and His Holiness Aram I of Antelias. And finally, I have shared the sorrow of the Patriarchate of Moscow at the passing of our beloved brother in Christ, Patriarch His Holiness Alexy II, and I continue remaining in communion of prayer with these our brothers who prepare to choose the new patriarch of that venerated and great Orthodox Church.
Likewise, I have had the chance to meet with representatives of the diverse Christian Communions of the West, with whom continues the dialogue about the important testimony that Christians should give today in harmony, in a world ever more divided and facing so many challenges of a cultural, social, economic and ethical character. For these and for so many other meetings, dialogues and gestures of fraternity that the Lord has permitted us to be able to carry out, let us give thanks together with joy.
21 January 2009, Zenit International News Agency, www.zenit.org
LETTER TO PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA
US church leaders attending the annual meeting of the United States Conference for the World Council of Churches, 2-4 December 2008, in Washington sent the following letter to President Obama.
His Grace Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Ecumenical Officer Armenian Apostolic Church of America, is one of the signatories.
The President
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave
Washington, D.C.
20 January 2009
Dear Mr President,
We greet you as your sisters and brothers in Christ, especially because you have been a part of the fellowship of the World Council of Churches, representing over 560 million Christians in nearly 350 churches, denominations, and church fellowships in more than 110 countries and territories throughout the world. You are constantly in our prayers.
We want you to know of the excitement about your inauguration as the 44th President of the United States felt by us and so many around the world, who are encouraged by your commitment to rekindle hope and your vision for this country and our world. We are especially inspired by how you have engaged our youth, moving them to action and signaling the real possibility that another world is possible, and that they can be among those from whom ideas and leadership are sought over the course of your administration.
We also share the soberness of the present time as you take office. The challenges are enormous and formidable. They are found in every sector of this society and, indeed, across the entire spectrum of the human family worldwide. So many people in this world of abundance struggle with poverty; we are called by God to address the needs of the poor. So many places of this world are broken by violence and war; we are called by Christ to be peacemakers.
Ours is not to point fingers at your new administration and say “Fix it.” Rather, ours is to roll up our sleeves and partner with you to help bring about the changes that are so desperately needed for the United States and the world to more closely reflect God’s vision for humankind and all of creation. Ours is to call us all into account when we do not follow that vision.
It is a vision described by the prophet Micah, and it reflects our deep hope for this country and for all the countries of the world:
“…nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore; but they shall all sit under their own vines and under their own fig trees, and no one shall make them afraid; for the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken” (Micah 4:3-4).
The prophet’s words lift up the kind of peace that goes beyond the cessation of war to that of true shalom. They describe the kind of peace that is built on a foundation of trust and security. Micah’s vision implies a world in which creation is thriving and everyone has enough. It implies a world of justice, where we treat one another as the beloved children of God.
Much is required of you and us if we are to begin to turn things around. We must take responsibility for and work together to:
· Repair the breach of trust between individuals and entire nations, and replenish goodwill with our neighbors near and far;
· Re-collect us back together, not as red and blue states, but as the United States of America;
· Rekindle and lift up the common good over self-interest and greed;
· Restore the sense of human dignity of each person regardless of race or class;
· Recognize our own complicity in building a predatory economy on the backs of those most vulnerable, and reconstruct an economy with an emphasis not just on the middle class, but on the poor;
· Renew a concrete, measurable commitment to human rights;
· Rebuild an education system that attends to the needs of all of society;
· Replenish God’s good creation in whatever ways possible;
· Recommit ourselves to the right of every person to have access to health care.
For its member churches, the World Council of Churches is a unique space: one in which we can reflect, speak, act, worship and work together, challenge and support each other, share and debate with each other. We hope to share a similar space with you and your administration and welcome the opportunity to work together for this common vision of the prophet Micah.
May you hold onto those things that have tended your soul up to this point. May you always find Sabbath time for yourself and your family. May you draw deeply on the faith that has brought you safe thus far. May you be lifted up when you are down, and may you listen carefully for the still small voice of the God who loves you unconditionally.
We close with a pastoral prayer by Martin Luther King, Jr, whose words in 1956 are most fitting as we step into this new day:
O God, our Heavenly Father, we thank thee for this golden privilege to worship thee, the only true God of the universe. We come to thee today, grateful that thou hast kept us through the long night of the past and ushered us into the challenge of the present and the bright hope of the future. We are mindful, O God, that man [sic] cannot save himself, for man is not the measure of things and humanity is not God. Bound by our chains of sins and finiteness, we know we need a Savior. We thank thee, O God, for the spiritual nature of man. We are in nature but we live above nature. Help us never to let anybody or any condition pull us so low as to cause us to hate. Give us strength to love our enemies and to do good to those who despitefully use us and persecute us. We thank thee for thy Church, founded upon thy Word, that challenges us to do more than sing and pray, but go out and work as though the very answer to our prayers depended on us and not upon thee. Then, finally, help us to realize that man was created to shine like stars and live on through all eternity. Keep us, we pray, in perfect peace, help us to walk together, pray together, sing together, and live together until that day when all God’s children, Black, White, Red, Brown, Yellow will rejoice in one common band of humanity in the kingdom of our Lord and of our God, we pray. Amen.
In Christ’s Service,
The Rev. Dr Bernice Powell Jackson
Moderator, United States Conference for the World Council of Churches
& Members of the Board, United States Conference for the World Council of Churches
Members of the Board, Heads of Churches1 & Associate Members
United States Conference for the World Council of Churches
African Methodist Episcopal Church
Bishop John F. White, Sr
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
Rev. Dr Staccato Powell
American Baptist Churches USA
Rev. A. Roy Medley, General Secretary (+)
Rev. Dr Cheryl H. Wade
Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America
Ms Anne Glynn Mackoul
Armenian Apostolic Church of America
The Very Rev. Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Rev. Dr Sharon Watkins, General Minister and President (+)
Rev. Dr Robert K. Welsh
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
Senior Bishop Ronald McKinley Cunningham
Dr Evelyn Parker
Church of the Brethren
Mr Stanley J. Noffsinger, General Secretary (+)
Episcopal Church
Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop (+)
Bishop C. Christopher Epting
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, Presiding Bishop (+)
Rev. Donald McCoid
Ms Kathryn Lohre
Friends General Conference
Dr Thomas Paxson
National Baptist Convention USA, Inc.
Rev. Dr Angelique Walker-Smith
Orthodox Church in America
Very Rev. Leonid Kishkovsky, Director of External Affairs
Presbyterian Church (USA)
Rev. Gradye Parsons, Stated Clerk (+)
Rev. Robina Winbush
Ms Vanesa Davila-Luciano
Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc.
Rev. Dr Tyrone Pitts
United Church of Christ
Rev. John H. Thomas, General Minister and President (+)
Rev. Dr Larry D. Pickens
Mr Jay Williams
Rev. Motoe Yamada
Other US Conference Member Communions & Associate Members
Church Women United
Ms Gail Mengel, National President
General Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns
Dr Stephen Sidorak, General Secretary
International Council of Community Churches
Rev. Michael E. Livingston, Executive Director
Moravian Church (Northern Province)
Rev. David L. Wickmann, Conference President
Moravian Church (Southern Province)
The Right Rev. Dr Wayne Burkette, Conference President
National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA
Rev. Dr Michael Kinnamon, General Secretary
1 In addition to the members of the Board of the United States Conference for the World Council of Churches, some Heads of Churches (+) of member communions and other member/associate members have also requested that their names be added to this letter, as noted below.