PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address: Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact: Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel: (374 1) 517 163
Fax: (374 1) 517 301
E-Mail: ktrij@etchmiadzin.am
December 3, 2004

Armenian Church Participates in Conference of European Churches Working
Group Meeting in Belgium

>From November 26 to 27, a meeting of the “Peace, Security and
Reconciliation” Working Group of the Conference of European Churches (CEC)
was convened at the Ecumenical Centre in Brussels, Belgium. In attendance
was Mrs. Paula Devejian, the representative of the Armenian Church in this
Working Group of the CEC. The Armenian Church is one of ten Churches
represented in this Working Group.

The purpose of the meeting was to identify and discuss current issues for
the Working Group, and also to establish goals and tasks for the committee
members. An overall theme for the group is the development and
understanding of Christian perceptions for peace and reconciliation. The
first undertaking is a review of the Security Strategy approved by the
Commission of the European Union. A theological and practical commentary
will be prepared and recommendations forwarded to the CEC for eventual
distribution to the member Churches. Additionally, with an overall goal of
formulating ways in which reconciliation can become a “mainstream” issue
within Churches, it was decided to start a project of open dialogue between
persons who have been directly affected by regional conflicts to study
methodologies of conflict resolution and the possible participation and
guidance by churches. Participants will be sought from the regions of
Northern Ireland and the Balkans.

The Armenian Church, as a member of the Conference of European Churches, has
representatives in various CEC structures. His Grace Bishop Yeznik
Petrossian, General Secretary for Inter-Church Relations, represents the
Armenian Church in the CEC Central Committee, as well as in the “Churches in
Dialogue” Commission. Rev. Fr. Hovakim Manukian, a member of the
Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin represents the Armenian Church in the
“Church and Society” Commission.

The next meeting of the Working Group will be held in Brussels in May 2005.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress