wfn.org | MECC: on Oriental Orthodox Churches' 8th Meeting

[mecc <mecc@cyberia.net.lb>]

Heads of Oriental Orthodox Churches in the Middle East Conclude their Eighth
Meeting, December 9-10, 2005, with a Common Declaration

The Common Declaration signed by their Holinesses, Pope Shenouda III,
Patriarch Mar Ignatius Zakka I and Catholicos Aram I, reaffirmed their unity
of faith based on common doctrinal position and theological teachings and
manifested through Eucharistic communion and other sacraments of the Church.

 

The three Heads of churches reaffirmed their commitment to the ecumenical
movement both through the World Council of Churches and the Middle East
Council of Churches. In their solidarity and unity of faith, they feel
responsible to strive for the unity of all the churches, in the region and
other parts of the world.

 

It is with the same spirit that their churches are actively engaged in
bilateral theological dialogues with Orthodox, Catholic, Anglican and
Reformed Churches which will further spell out the authenticity and
orthodoxy of the Christological teachings of the Oriental Orthodox Churches.

 

Together they called for the preservation of the sacredness and integrity of
the Christian Family, an institution established by God, hence condemning
all practices and behaviors related to marriage and sexual orientation that
are not in accord with biblical and moral teachings.

 

They reaffirmed the importance of inter-religious dialogue, underlining that
Christian-Muslim Dialogue has been an integral part of the history,
civilization and culture of the Middle East. With the prevailing situation
and developments in the region, this dialogue of life should be enhanced to
develop mutual respect and understanding between Christian and Muslim
teachers, scholars and community leaders.

 

They appealed to their communities living in different parts of the world to
remain firmly attached to their native lands by supporting initiatives and
actions that promote Peace with justice in the Middle East, highlighting the
role their respective churches have played in this respect. The peace
process must continue they said and UN Security Council resolutions must be
implemented by Israel, and Iraq should regain its independence, integrity
and sovereignty. Only full justice will bring a real, permanent and
comprehensive peace in the region.

 

Condemning all forms and expressions of violence, Heads of churches stressed
that Religion in its essence is a promoter of love, hope and reconciliation.
They appealed to their churches worldwide to remain faithful to the gospel
committing themselves to give renewed efficiency and vitality to the witness
of their churches.

 

The full text of the Common Declaration is posted on the MECC website at:
www.mec-churches.org <http://www.mec-churches.org/>

Middle East Council of Churches
Office of International Ecumenical Relations
P.O. Box 5376, Beirut, Lebanon

Guirgis Ibrahim Saleh, General Secretary
mecc@cyberia.net.lb or guirgissaleh@cyberia.net.lb

+961-1-353-938
http://www.mec-churches.org/