PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: info@armenianorthodoxchurch.org
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version: nian.htm
HIS HOLINESS ARAM I ADDRESSES MECC-PARTNERS
Addressing the meeting that took place yesterday in Beirut between the
representatives of the Middle East Council of Churches and partners and
donor agencies, His Holiness Aram I, who is one of the presidents of Middle
East Council of Churches, emphasized the crucial importance of partnership
between the ecumenical institutions and donor agencies. He said: "The
ecumenical movement is one. It includes all segments of the people of God.
The institutionalization of ecumenism has created a gap between the
institutional church and the people of God. We must overcome this situation.
We must plan and act with a clear vision that we belong to each other."
Speaking about the meaning of partnership, His Holiness affirmed that
"partnership implies transparency, accountability and mutuality. These are
not mere concepts. They must be articulated in all aspects of our
relationship, programmatic activities, as well as in financial relations. We
have already passed the stage of giving and receiving. We must re-own the
ecumenical movement by deepening our partnership".
Outlining the priorities of MECC, Aram I reminded that "real ecumenism must
be responsive to the concrete realities of its context. It must be relevant
to the expectations and needs of the churches. The churches in the Middle
East have their priorities, the partners must respect them. At the same
time, the partners have their own priorities, methodologies and
expectations. We cannot simply ignore them. This is what I mean by
mutuality."
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View the photos here:
tos/Photos329-.htm
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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.