Press Release
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Father Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E-mail: cathcil@cathcil.org
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
HIS HOLINESS ARAM I EMPHASIZED
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE WCC
Receiving yesterday the Moderator of the World Council of Churches, Bishop
Walter Altmann and the General Secretary, Dr. Samuel Kobia, His Holiness
Aram I stressed the unique importance of the WCC as the only global and
institutional expression of the ecumenical movement: "I know that the WCC is
facing tremendous challenges. It is in search of new agenda, new direction
and self-expression. The process and organizational matters must not hinder
our commitment to ecumenical goals. The churches must together seek the most
efficient ways and means of deepening their togetherness on the way towards
the visible unity within the fellowship of the WCC", said Aram I.
Having served as Moderator of the WCC from 1991 to 2006, for two terms,
Catholicos Aram I reminded that "the WCC is not an organization out therein
Geneva but a fellowship here on local level. The identity of the WCC lies in
its fellowship character which transcends institutional and geographical
boundaries. The WCC is churches in Council. Hence, strengthening the Council
must become a priority for member churches".
Dr. Altmann expressed on behalf of the Central Committee his deep
appreciation for many years of service of His Holiness to the WCC, from 1970
to 1991 as member of Faith and Order Commission and Central Committee and
from 1991 to 2006 as Moderator.
Dr. Kobia said that Aram I has left his indelible mark in the WCC as a
strong and gifted ecumenical leader. He said that Antelias is a center of
ecumenical dialogue and their visit to Antelias is "a sort of ecumenical
pilgrimage".
The chairperson of the Committee on Ecumenical Relations Dr. Nora
Bayrakdarian shared her experience of the 9th Assembly and the first meeting
of the new Central Committee underlining a few aspects and making some
proposals. The Officer of the ecumenical relations. Bishop Nareg outlined
the multi-faceted ecumenical relations of the Armenian Church. Dr. Jean
Salmanian spoke about Christian-Muslim dialogue. Mrs. Seta Khedeshian
referred to the activities of the MECC with special reference to Life and
Service Program. Speaking about the activities of youth, Ms. Carla Khijoyan
emphasized the importance of giving space to youth in their involvement in
the ecumenical movement.
Summarizing the remarks of the members of the Ecumenical Relations Committee
of the Catholicosate, Aram I underscored "the necessity of preserving the
specificity and integrity of the ecumenical movement as a church-centered
and unity-driven movement". He said that "we must at the same time enlarge
the scope of ecumenism by engaging the ecumenical partners and different
players of civil society. This implies change of agenda, methodology,
strategy and style. The WCC must take this matter very seriously as it tries
to re-organize itself after the Assembly". His Holiness also emphasized the
crucial importance of "wider ecumenism". He reminded that "the inter-faith
dialogue has become a vital area of serious concern for the churches and the
ecumenical movement". Speaking about the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia,
His Holiness Aram I said that "ecumenism is taken very seriously by our
church. Ecumenism is neither a department nor a function or a reality
pertaining to the external relations of the church; it is at the heart of
what we do and what we say as a church".
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The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Ecumenical
activities of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.