A delegation of eight from the National Council of Churches of Wales (CYTUN ) visited Lebanon and Syria, from March 15-26, 2006. The visit, facilitated b y the MECC, aimed at learning more about Christian-Muslim relations, dialogue and coexistence in the two countries and their implications for the region, the situation in each of Lebanon and Syria, and at deepening relations and fellowship with the Middle East Council of Churches.
The delegation representing Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox Churches in Wales included senior spiritual leaders and members of the European Parliament, and was lead by Rev. Chrisopher Gillham from the Congregational Federation in Wales. In Lebanon they met with H.H. Catholicos Aram I and H.E. Cardinal Mar Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir as well as other church and community leaders, and MECC senior staff. They also paid a visit to the British Embassy in Beirut, the Khiam Prison in the South of Lebanon, and th e Palestinian camps of Sabra and Chatilla.
In Syria, the delegation met with the President of Syria, Heads of churches , the Grand Mufti, other officials, as well as church and community leaders. The visit aimed at acknowledging Christian-Muslim Coexistence in Syria and at supporting Syria¹s role in building peace in the region.
Middle East Council of Churches Office of International Ecumenical Relations P.O. Box 5376, Beirut, Lebanon
Guirgis Ibrahim Saleh, General Secretary
[email protected] or [email protected]
+961-1-353-938 http://www.mec-churches.org/