PRESS OFFICE
Department of Communications
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 160; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: jakeg@armeniandiocese.org
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January 9, 2007
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U.N. SECRETARY-GENERAL DISCUSSES ECUMENICAL EFFORTS WITH ARCHBISHOP
BARSAMIAN AND OTHER RELIGIOUS LEADERS

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church
of America (Eastern), was part of a three-man delegation of religious
leaders to meet with Ban Ki-moon, the new United Nations secretary-general,
on Monday, January 8, 2007, a the United Nations headquarters in New York
City.

Rabbi Arthur Schneier, president and founder of the Appeal of Conscience
Foundation, led the group, which also included Roman Catholic Theodore
Cardinal McCarrick of Washington, D.C. The Primate serves as a vice
president for the Appeal of Conscience Foundation, which works around the
globe to promote religious freedom and human rights.

"General-Secretary Ban knew about the Appeal of Conscience Foundation from
previous events and efforts," the Primate said. "So he welcomed us warmly
and thanked us for our work. He supports our mission of using
interrelations and interfaith dialogue to bridge civilizations."

The trio of religious leaders spoke with General-Secretary Ban on how the
religious community can help find solutions in areas such as the Middle
East, Lebanon, and Darfur.

"We told him we were ready to work in partnership with the United Nations to
help bring peace and understanding to the world," the Primate said. "We
offered him our prayers, and our support as he begins his tenure at the
United Nations."

— 1/9/07

E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News and
Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,

PHOTO CAPTION (1): Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern
Diocese, joins other religious leaders from the Appeal of Conscience
Foundation in meeting with United Nations General-Secretary Ban Ki-moon on
Monday, January 8, 2007. (UN Photo/Mark Garten)

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress