PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
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PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
An Assembly of Youth and for Youth
(Dialogue with the youth- Number 4)
I just returned from Porto Alegre, Brazil, where the World
Council of Churches (WCC) had its 9th Assembly. The gathering of four
thousand people (delegates, advisors, guests and journalists) was a landmark
event in world Christendom. Through prayer, celebration, reporting,
discussion and decisions, the Assembly set a new process in the life and
witness of the WCC. I am sure that church historians, theologians,
ecumenists and journalists will make a critical assessment of the Assembly.
At a later stage, I would like to make my own evaluation of this event by
identifying its challenges and vision for the future of the ecumenical
movement.
With this fourth dialogue with the youth of the Armenian Church,
I want to share some information and my perspectives pertaining to the
presence of youth delegates and their participation in the Assembly and
discuss with you my expectations from our youth.
In my report to the Assembly, I challenged the youth to make the Assembly a
“Youth Assembly”, not only by their strong presence but also by seeking the
most efficient ways of making an impact. Further, I emphasized the crucial
importance of the role that youth are impelled to play in the ecumenical
movement, and called them to become the pioneers of a new ecumenical order,
as well as the avant-garde of a new ecumenical future.
The response of the youth was positive. In fact, their
commitment, participation and forward-looking vision permeated all aspects
of the Assembly. In my dialogue with the youth, I reminded them that the
dignity of service and not the arrogance of power must guide us, that we
must look for substance and not for position, and we must be after quality
and not after visibility.
This is what I have learned in this world-wide ecumenical
movement and in my ministry. This is what I expect from our youth.
Now that the “Youth Assembly” is over, how can the youth make it
an “Assembly for Youth” by translating its recommendations and vision into
action-oriented process in the life of their churches and the ecumenical
movement at large? This is the real challenge. I hope that the youth will
take this challenge courageously and responsibly.
I was very pleased to see the young delegates of our church actively and
seriously involved in all spheres of the life and work of the Assembly. The
intervention particularly of our two young women delegates from Los Angeles
and Boston in the plenary sessions made me proud. They reminded me of my
first intervention as a young delegate at the 5th Assembly, in Nairobi, in
1975. The contribution, the zeal and the seriousness of our youth give me
hope for the future of the ecumenical movement and the active ecumenical
role of our church.
With this strong conviction and forward-looking perspective, I want to
underscore a few points.-
1. Those who are taking part in the ecumenical movement are not
necessarily clergy or theologians. They come from different walks of life
and with different experiences. This diversity of age, gender and expertise
constitutes one of the rich expressions of the ecumenical movement. Yet, for
these people, basic information about Bible, church history, the
confessional communions and church families, etc. is vitally important. This
background information will significantly enhance the intellectual and
spiritual dialogue between people, who come from different churches and from
different parts of the world, seeking the unity of church and a common
Christian witness.
2. For our youth, who want to engage in the ecumenical activities, the
knowledge of the Armenian Church is essential. I say this because I know the
limited scope of the information that our youth have about their church, its
history and theology, liturgy and spirituality. Representing a church means
representing its doctrinal positions, theological teachings, moral
principles and spiritual values. The ecumenical movement is a space where
not only people but also values, traditions, experiences come together and
engage in creative and mutually enriching dialogue.
3. The ecumenical formation of our youth must become a continuous
process. By ecumenical formation I do not mean only accumulation of
information on ecumenical history, agenda, goals, priorities and structures,
etc. By ecumenical formation I basically understand: a process whereby
through the acquisition of knowledge a person is transformed and learns to
look beyond the narrow boundaries of a particular church, to open up to the
other churches, to different contexts and traditions, and to look at
realities, issues and concerns in a broader context. Hence, ecumenical
formation is a learning process.
4. Knowledge and formation are not enough if they are not undergirded
by firm commitment. Fully equipped with the necessary tools, our youth must
become active participants in the ecumenical movement. Ecumenism deals with
vision. It has clear goals. Being ecumenical means being engaged in a
faith-sustained and vision-driven life. Being ecumenical means being
involved in struggle for the visible unity of the church and for the
promotion of Gospel values.
5. Finally, ecumenism is a sort of school, where one always remains a
student and never becomes a graduate, where one knows what and how to give
and what and how to receive, when and how to talk and when and how to remain
silent. Indeed, quality, commitment and vision count more in ecumenism than
any other thing.
I invite the Armenian youth to engage in ecumenical life with this spirit,
openness and vision.
Aram I
Catholicos of Cilicia
5-3-2006
Antelias
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