News & Events

Journey of Faith

 

Patriarch Gregorios III attends Katholikentag “Du fuehrst uns hinaus ins Weite” Osnabrueck Germany 21-25 May 2008

Address of His Beatitude Patriarch Gregorios III to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI (Apostolic Palace of the Vatican, 8 May 2008)

Homélie de Sa Béatitude le Patriarche Gregorios III Basilique de Saint-Paul-hors-les-Murs (8 mai 2008)

Adresse de Sa Béatitude le Patriarche Gregorios III à Sa Sainteté le Pape Benoît XVI (Palais Apostolique du Vatican, 8 mai 2008)

H.B. attends International Forum on Jerusalem in Istanbul 15-17 November, 2007

Visit of His Beatitude Gregorios III to Cologne, Germany, 30 August-2 September

Visite de Sa Béatitude Gregorios III pour Suisse 20- 23 avril 2007

Visit of H.B. Gregorios III to Prague: Carlsbad & Marienbad, 28-30 October 2006

Pictures of H.B. Gregorios III in the official visit to Slovakia 22-28 September 2006

Two days of talks and news conferences for H.B. Gregorios III in Paris 13-15 September 2006

Deux journées d’entretiens et d’informations pour S.B. Gregorios III à Paris + Photos

Visit of His Beatitude Gregorios III to London, England 15-18 September 2006

Meeting between H.B. Gregorios III, Greek Catholic Patriarch of Antioch, of Alexandria, of Jerusalem and All the East and H.E. Rowan Williams, Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury at Lambeth Palace, London, 18 September, 2006

Meeting between His Beatitude Gregorios III, Greek Catholic Patriarch of Antioch, of Alexandria, of Jerusalem and All the East and H. E. Gregorios, Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Thyateira and Great Britain,together with His Grace, Bishop Basil of Amphipolis London, 16 September, 2006

Photos prises au cours de la visite de S.B. à Genève 12-13 Septembre

Photos of H.B. in San Gualtero-Lodi 9-11 September 2006

Photos of H.B. in Germany-The German Association of the Holy Land- 2006 September 4 

Sa Béatitude Gregorios III en Allemagne septembre 2006

Photos: DINO (Deutsche Initiative fur den Nahen Osten) à Munster

Deutsche initiative fur den Nahen Osten: Grundlagen

5th CONGRESS OF THE MELKITE CATHOLIC BISHOPS OF AMERICA & OCEANIA In Montreal, June 11-18, 2006

Vème Congrès des Evêques Grecs  Melkites Catholiques dans les pays de la Diaspora- Montréal-Canada Du 11 au 18 juin 2006  

150e anniversaire de l'OEuvre d'Orient-Paris-Rome

The visit of His Beatitude Gregorius III to St John Chrysostom Parish-London-

Lecture at the Brunei Theatre, SOAS (University of London) Friday 11 November 2005   

Fifth General Congregation - Vatican - October 3rd-23rd 2005

Liturgy the basis of Christian Unity- Orientale Lumen 10-13 May 2004

 

 

H.B. attends International Forum on Jerusalem in Istanbul 15-17 November, 2007

 

More than 5000 individuals from over 60 countries, among them Christian and Muslim religious leaders, political and intellectual leaders, as well as representatives of trades unions and civil institutions, the media and the literary world, attended this TGTV-organised conference in Istanbul, entitled “Protecting the Face of Civilization,” to consider the situation of Jerusalem (al-Quds) and the Palestinian people, in the light of the forthcoming peace talks. His Beatitude was one of the leaders of an inter-faith delegation from Syria.

Among those giving “Insiders’ Testimony” to the current situation in Jerusalem were
Sheikh Muhammad Hussein, the grand mufti of Jerusalem; Sheikh Ikrima Sabri, senior preacher of the Al-Aqsa Mosque; and Archbishop Theodosios (Attallah) Hanna, spokesman for the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

There follows a summary of conclusions from the conference’s published Declaration in Support of al-Quds on 17 November:

• Al-Quds, city of peace, cradle of civilization and sacred and holy land…must remain as a model of dialogue between civilizations and symbol for the most holy values of forgiveness, justice and tolerance.
• The Palestinian people, including refugees and deportees, have an historic right to live in their country and exercise their civic rights. These they cannot do while suffocated by a Wall of Separation and while illegal settlements are being built that isolate them and al-Quds from the broader Palestinian context.
• All peace-loving countries should support economic, social, cultural, educational and media-related projects that help to preserve the Arab identity of occupied al-Quds and its Christian and Islamic holy sites.
• There is a responsibility for all nations desirous of promoting peace and stability in the region and preserving the historic heritage of civilization to end the excavations on Temple Mount that undermine the fabric of al-Aqsa mosque and to prevent further encroachments upon Muslim and Christian holy places.
• The United Nations should activate the role of the Committee on the Protection of Jerusalem, established sixty years ago, in 1947. This Forum in support of Al-Quds and its Palestinian people hopes that its gathering would be an incentive for dialogue and understanding among supporters of the same cause, both in Palestine and throughout the world.

The Forum concluded with a prayer, “Today we meet for Al-Quds and tomorrow may we meet in Al-Quds, insh’Allah.” Amen.

 

 

 

 

Visit of His Beatitude Gregorios III to Cologne, Germany, 30 August-2 September

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His Beatitude visited Cologne, Germany, arriving by air at Frankfurt on 30 August and meeting with members of the Order of St. Lazarus at the Hotel Jolly, on the evening of his arrival.

Next day, His Beatitude attended a formal reception by the Mayor of Cologne, Fritz Schramma, to mark the opening of the DINO Symposium (German Initiative for the Middle East), entitled “Ways to Peace.”

DINO’s purpose is “to support and facilitate the understanding of the complicated contexts (of the situation in the Middle East) by raising awareness, preventing and combating prejudices and supporting rapprochement between the parties to the conflict, without however formulating political statements or being subject to political influence.”

The Symposium continued on 1 September, meeting at the Old Council House in the city centre. The morning included talks and workshops, before a working convivial lunch, followed by an afternoon platform discussion, broadcast on radio and television. The discussion, chaired by the founder of DINO, Manfred Erdenberger, included His Beatitude, Prof. Dr. Joachim Gardemann, head of the central agency for humanitarian assistance of the FH Muenster, Rudolf Dressler, former Ambassador of the Federal Republic to Israel and Abdallah Frangi, foreign policy spokesman for the Palestinian Fatah party.
Reception in the Hansasaal, Cologne. Photo courtesy of http://www.dino-muenster.de/2_symposion.html

Visit of His Beatitude to Romania

After leaving Germany, His Beatitude went on to Romania, where he attended the Third European Ecumenical Assembly at Sibiu.

The message of this gathering includes ten recommendations for the future.

Addressing the situation in Europe today, the assembly appealed to the continent’s churches to support immigrants and other ethnic minorities and to “offer better pastoral care for migrants, asylum seekers and refugees”.
 
On the subject of the continuing quest for Christian unity, the assembly recommended that churches renew their common mission “to proclaim Christ as the Light and the Saviour of the world”; that discussion be continued among Christian confessions regarding “mutual recognition of baptism;” that more opportunities be provided for common prayer, pilgrimages, theological education and study in support of Christian values; and that churches embrace “the full participation of the whole people of God” including “young people, the elderly, ethnic minorities and disabled people.”
 
The assembly reaffirmed a set of guidelines agreed in Europe for Christian interaction and cooperation, the Charta Oecumenica, as a “stimulating” resource “for our ecumenical journey in Europe”.
 
The assembly also exhorted European churches and European institutions to be courageous in addressing the needs of the whole world for ecological justice, human rights and other issues of globalisation; and the backing of initiatives for debt cancellation and fair trade.
 
Finally, in its most specific recommendation, EEA3 endorsed a proposal that “the period from the 1st of September to the 4th of October be dedicated to prayer for the protection of Creation and the promotion of sustainable lifestyles that reverse our contribution to climate change.”

His Beatitude expressed himself particularly pleased with “wonderful meetings with the Orthodox” Christians he met in Romania.

 

 

Visite de Sa Béatitude Gregorios III pour Suisse 20- 23 avril 2007

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Le vendredi 20 avril 2007, Sa Béatitude s’est dirigé pour la Suisse à l’invitation de l’Association Kirche in Not (Eglise en Détresse) pour donner une conférence dans la paroisse de Winkeln près de Sankt Gallen, chez le Rev. Père Erwin Keller ancien ami de Sa Béatitude, sous le thème « Paix, Convivialité et Présence Chrétienne au Moyen Orient ».
Le Samedi 21, Célébration de la Messe et une conférence organisée par la Kirche in Not à l’occasion de 60 ans de sa fondation en Suisse.
Le soir, arrivé à l’Abbaye d’Einsiedeln.
Le Dimanche 22, Conférence à Einsiedeln et Liturgie Solennelle présidée par Sa Béatitude en rite byzantin.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Visite pour l’Allemagne 27-28 avril 2007
Sa Béatitude s’est rendue en Allemagne à Krefeld-Hulz pour présider la cérémonie d’investiture de nouveaux membres de l’Ordre saint Lazare dont Sa Béatitude est le protecteur spirituel.

Visite pour l’Italie – Piacenza 29 Avril – 1 Mai 2007
Sa Béatitude s’est dirigée après l’Allemagne pour l’Italie et plus précisément Piacenza pour présider aussi la cérémonie d’investiture de 36 nouveaux membres de l’Ordre Patriarcal de la Sainte Croix de Jérusalem dont le Patriarche est le grand maître.  La cérémonie a eu lieu à Piacenza au nord de l’Italie le 29 et 30 avril 2007. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Visit of H.B. Gregorios III to Prague: Carlsbad & Marienbad, 28-30 October 2006

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Invited by the Order of Saint Lazarus in Prague-Czech Republic, H.B. Gregorios III, the spiritual protector, presided the ceremony of Investiture of new members from Czech Republic and Romania.

The ceremony took place on 28 and 29 October 2006 in the Assomption church in Prague. In the pictures, the oecumenical prayer of investiture.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The official visit of H.B. to Slovakia, 22-28 September 2006

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Friday 22 September 2006
       Arrival at Bratislava in the evening; dinner and stay at the Greek Catholic Seminary; the Patriarch was accompanied by Their Excellencies Joseph Absi, Patriarchal Auxiliary Archbishop, and Jean Assad Haddad, Metropolitan Emeritus of Tyre, and Mr. Michel Moussa.

       Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia; it is the country’s biggest city and an important economic and cultural centre, with a population of more than 450.000 inhabitants. The city, which is about 40 miles from Vienna, is crossed by the Danube. A city filled with historic memories from the Middle Ages, it was, before independence, an important centre in the life of the Austro-Hungarian Dual Monarchy. During the Ottoman occupation of Hungary, it was the residence of the Primates of Hungary in what is still today the Primatial Palace (Primacialny), and it is there that during this same period, were crowned the Apostolic Kings of Hungary. Formerly under the jurisdiction of the Archdiocese of Eger (Hungary), this part of Slovakia was separated from it in 1922 to form the Apostolic Administration of Trnava, becoming an Archdiocese in 1977, with the name of Bratislava-Trnava from 1995; the Archbishop still resides at Trnava, but one of his Auxiliary Bishops permanently resides in Bratislava, where the Latin Great Seminary is also to be found.

 Saturday 23 September 2006
     In the morning, His Beatitude participated, in the Cathedral of Nitra, in the solemn Mass for the millennial jubilee of the Chapter of Canons of the Cathedral of Nitra. The celebration was presided over by H.E.Mgr. Viliam Judák, Bishop of Nitra; besides His Beatitude and the two Hierarchs of the patriarchal delegation, the concelebrants were their Excellencies Mgr. Marián Chovanec, Auxiliary Bishop of Nitra and Secretary General of the Episcopal Conference de Slovakia, and Mgr. Stanisław Budzik, Auxiliary Bishop of Tarnów (Poland).
       There followed a big dinner at the Bishop’s Palace, at which  there participated as well His Eminence Cardinal Ján Chryzostom Korec, S.J., Bishop Emeritus of Nitra, and a great number of priests who had come from all over Slovakia, as well as from Austria, Poland and Germany.
       At 6p.m., His Beatitude, assisted by the two Hierarchs of the patriarchal delegation, presided over Saturday evening Vespers in the Greek Catholic parish church of the Holy Cross. After Vespers, His Beatitude greeted the congregation and gave them a brief account of the situation of Christians in the Near East, underlining the important and indispensable role of the Eastern Catholic Churches for the whole of the Catholic Church, especially at the ecumenical level. The Patriarch, on the other hand, encouraged the Greek Catholic faithful of Slovakia to keep to and live faithfully by their Byzantine tradition, and asked them also to pray especially for their brethren living in lands threatened by war. Finally, the parish priest, Father Peter Rusnak, thanked His Beatitude for his presence among them and for his prayer with them.

Sunday, 24 September 2006
      A 3p.m., His Beatitude presided at the Divine Liturgy of the Byzantine rite in several languages (Church Slavonic, Arabic and Greek), in Saint Martin’s Church, with the investiture of new members of the Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem. Concelebrating with the Patriarch,  were notably, Father Marek Chryzostom Vadrna, Chaplain of the Order of Saint Lazarus, as well as Fathers Peter Rusnak and Ratislav Cizik, from the Greek Catholic Parish of Bratislava.
       After the Liturgy, reception at the Primatial Palace, then a meeting   of His Beatitude with the Slovak Prime Minister, H.E. Mr. Robert Fico.

Monday, 25 September, 2006
       In the morning, interview of the Patriarch on Slovak television, then departure for the city of Prešov, in Eastern Slovakia. En route, dinner at the Tri Studnicky hotel, in Demanovska Dolina (central Slovakia), at the foot of the Nizke Tarty mountains (6.000 feet high).
       In the afternoon, meeting with the new Orthodox Archbishop of Prešov, H.E. Ján (Holonič), with a reciprocal presentation by the Melkite Greek Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church of Slovakia and of the Czech Lands, in the presence notably of Archpriest Dr. Milan Gerka, professor at the Orthodox Theology Faculty of Prešov, who has developed positively current relations between Orthodox and Greek-Catholics in Slovakia, after a difficult period.
       Towards the evening, departure for Košice and, en route, visit to the Abbey of the Premonstratensian Canons Regular at Jasov; the Abbot, Mgr. Tomáš Karol Bartal, gave the visitors a presentation on the abbatial church.
       In the evening, arrival at Košice, walk and dinner in the town centre; staying the night at the Great Seminary of the Latin Archdiocese of Košice.

 Tuesday, 26 September, 2006
       Breakfast at the Seminary. The Vice-Rector, Father Imrich Dergo, presented the story of the building, constructed in 1642 to house impoverished noblewomen, then the seat of the Grand Seminary of the Latin Diocese of Košice (created in 1804), confiscated in 1994, then restored to the present Archdiocese of Košice.
       A 10:30 a.m., arrival of His Beatitude at the see of the Greek Catholic Exarchate Apostolic of Košice and meeting with the Bishop and Apostolic Exarch, H.E. Milan Chautur, C.Ss.R. (Redemptorist). In the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Mother of God, the Patriarch and the Apostolic Exarch blessed the icon of Saint Sára Salkahazi.
       In a brief speech, His Beatitude compared the martyrs of the Near East and those of Europe, especially under the communist regime. The Patriarch recalled that the word "martyr" has two meanings: the shedding of one’s blood, even unto death, and (in the original etymological meaning) a Christian’s witness in the different circumstances of life.
       After an interview for a religious programme on Slovak state television, a vin d'honneur was given at the see of the Apostolic
Exarchate, followed by a visit to its services and offices, notably its economic section. The Economos of the Apostolic Exarchate is a woman, and the office workers are mostly women.
       Towards noon, return to Prešov. The Patriarch was welcomed to the eparchial residence by the Bishop (Vladyka), H.E. Ján Babjak, S.J., who accompanied His Beatitude on a visit to the Cathedral of Saint John the Fore-runner, and notable to the two chapels where repose the relics of the two Holy Martyr Bishops of Prešov, Pavel Gojdič and Vasil Hopko, then to the eparchial museum, which contains many valuable historical objects, and the chapel of the eparchial residence with its new iconostasis. The Eparch presented His Beatitude with a very beautifully carved wooden hand cross.
      There followed dinner in the great hall of the eparchial residence, in the presence of the Protosyncellos of the Eparchy, Mgr. Marcel Mojzes, and others. When His Beatitude took his leave, the Eparch offered him two little reliquaries of his martyred predecessors.
       In the afternoon, departure for Spišské Podhradie, Latin Diocesan See of Spiš, where the Patriarch was welcomed by the Bishop, H.E. Mgr František Tondra, President of the Episcopal Conference of Slovakia, and Auxiliary Bishop, H.E. Mgr Štefan Sečka. The conversation concerned the situation in the Near East, with which the Bishop of Spiš is well acquainted, as well as the juridical status and position of the Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem, and its recognition at the level of the Episcopal Conference.
       There followed a visit to the Saint Martin’s Cathedral and the tomb of the martyred Bishop Ján Vojtassak.
       In the evening, dinner and overnight stay at the Tri Studnicky hotel at Demanovska Dolina (central Slovakia).

Wednesday 27 September 2006
       Return journey through the mountains of Nizke Tatry. Dinner at Mount Zobor, where one of the first Slovak monasteries was built in the 9th.century.
       In the afternoon, to Bratislava, interview for a review, then reception at the Mirbach Palace and meeting with the President of the Republic of Slovakia, H.E. Mr. Ivan Gasparovič.

Thursday, 28 September, 2006
       End of the visit.
 Departure from Vienna Airport for Beirut.

V.C.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

www.grkat.nfo.sk/Bratislava/patriarcha2006.html

 

 

Visit of His Beatitude Gregorios III to London, England 15-18 September 2006

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Friday, 15 September 3 p.m. Arrival at Waterloo Station with Fr. Nicolas Antiba and residence at K+K Hotel George, (Templeton Place, SW5)
Dinner with Fr. Shafiq and some parishioners

Saturday, 16 September 8 a.m. Telephone interview with “The Universe” about the Lebanon
Telephone Meeting with Cardinal O’Brien of Scotland, who has disseminated His Beatitude’s Letter on the War throughout his Archdiocese
Drafting in Arabic “Thoughts about the Lecture of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI at Regensburg”
6 p.m. Meeting with H.E. Archbishop Gregorios of Thyateira and Great Britain (See separate text.)
9p.m.Writing in English the final version of “Thoughts…” (See separate text.)

Sunday, 17 September 11:30 a.m. Celebration of the Divine Liturgy, with Fr. Nicolas, Fr. Shafiq and other clergy at St. John Chrysostom Parish, St. Barnabas Church, Pimlico Road, SW1. H.B. gave a sermon on the situation in Lebanon and his thoughts about the papal lecture
2 p.m. To the BBC to broadcast in Arabic, English and French on the same topics
Two pastoral visits to parishioners

Monday, 18 September 9.30 a.m. Meeting at Lambeth Palace with His Grace Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, Rev. Anthony Ball and Rev. David Peck, to discuss the situation in Lebanon (See separate text.)
2:30 p.m. Departure from Heathrow for Germany

 

Meeting between His Beatitude Gregorios III,
Greek Catholic Patriarch of Antioch, of Alexandria, of Jerusalem and All the East
and H. E. Gregorios, Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Thyateira and Great Britain,
together with His Grace, Bishop Basil of Amphipolis
London, 16 September, 2006

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Patriarch Gregorios, who was accompanied on this visit by Father Shafiq AbouZayd, expressed himself delighted by the brotherly welcome given by Archbishop Gregorios and Bishop Basil of Amphipolis and immediately opened by outlining the purpose of his visit, to highlight the plight of the Middle East’s Christian communities after the war in Lebanon. Patriarch Gregorios characterised the thirty-three day war as deeply inhuman and cynical, a war of wanton destruction of the country’s infrastructure. Fifty-eight bridges had been destroyed, most roads and most industries. During those days, Lebanon became an archipelago, lacking means of communication, electricity and even drinking water. Hezbollah was not the only target: Muslims and Christians had suffered from blind bombs.
People in the south suffered the most serious consequences. The south’s population is 75% Shi’ite Muslim, 25% Christian, comprising Maronites, Greek Catholic and Greek Orthodox. Among the southern eparchies fifteen to twenty churches had been either destroyed or seriously damaged. (Mosques suffered in equal measure.) Centres for pastoral work, bishops’ residences, and charitable institutions had not been spared. Some 130 Christian homes were destroyed, representing some $700,000 worth of damage, without counting devastated fields and olive groves and the continuing danger to life from unexploded fragmentation bombs. During the conflict a million people fled their homes of whom 300,000 went to Syria on the first day of the war.
On 14 July, Patriarch Gregorios made an appeal for all his churches, monasteries and charitable institutions to open their doors to refugees of whatever background. Syria opened its borders. In the facilities of the Patriarchate alone, some six thousand people were lodged. The Archbishop of Athens delivered tons of food for the Greek Orthodox Patriarch, Ignatius IV Hazim’s institutions. This was very needful, as three meals a day were being served to refugees. There were many other instances of remarkable generosity and solidarity in Syria, both from institutions: banks, government ministries and the like; and from individuals.
The Patriarch was touched by the gratitude with which his efforts were greeted by Muslims as well as Christians. On 5 August, all joined in a procession behind the cross, singing Marian hymns. This was an opportunity for Muslims and Christians to meet and express their love for each other. On 14 August, hours after the fighting ceased, people were already making their way back to their homes, before the Lebanese army had arrived and while Israeli troops were still in the country. Help is still needed, from non-governmental organizations and from European and other countries.
Patriarch Gregorios pointed out that during the conflict, there was an embargo on the Lebanese coast, but that once sea travel was permitted, emigrants, including growing numbers of people from the Eastern Churches, poured out of the country. Soon, he feared, the Middle East would be void of Christians as their favoured destinations were Canada, the Americas and Australia.
The Patriarch feared that without a Christian presence in the Middle East, the world would be polarised between East and West, the Middle East would soon be entirely Muslim as would the Holy Land, which Muslims are now claiming as their own. Currently, there are only 8,000 Christians of all denominations left in Jerusalem.
Patriarch Gregorios assured Archbishop Gregorios that peace would enable Christians to continue their witness to Christ and bring hope for the future. Without peace, emigration would continue apace. During the last decade alone, 10,000 Christians left the Bethlehem, Beit Sahour and Beit Jala area.
His Beatitude said that it was very unlikely that Hezbollah, the heroes of the conflict, would be persuaded to lay down their arms. The recently arrived peace-keeping troops appear to be taking their places for the defence of Israel’s borders, since they are staying behind those of Lebanon. In these conditions, it is impractical to tell Hezbollah’s forces to give up their weapons and go away. The presence of these foreign troops is really a palliative.
Prompted to state clearly what he wished to obtain from this ecumenical and brotherly encounter, His Beatitude stated that he sought support in prayer from fellow Christians of the Eastern tradition and signs, gestures symbolic of solidarity – even little ones. His Beatitude thanked His Grace, Bishop Basil for the recent gift of money sent to his Patriarchal Charity in Lebanon by the Russian Orthodox Parish of the Annunciation, Oxford.
His Beatitude’s greatest fear was that the churches of the Holy Land would become museums. Already there were few Christian shops left in the Christian quarter of Jerusalem, where the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate is built and just a handful in Bethlehem. Christian pilgrims are shown around by Jewish and Muslim guides who pay little attention to the many Christian holy places. Since the year 2000, pilgrims who dared to make the journey were few and the recent war has deterred them further. Cypriots still arrive for Holy Week, but since they are fasting, shops and restaurants do not benefit much from their trade! The Israeli population is about one-fifth Russian Orthodox Christian, but they are reluctant to admit their faith, as they would lose many of the privileges they are accorded as being of Jewish descent. Patriarch Gregorios characterised his twenty-six years as Patriarchal Vicar in Jerusalem as the happiest of his life, living as he did within earshot of the bells of the Church of the Resurrection.
 Archbishop Gregorios expressed his admiration for Arab Christians living in their native lands, but at the same time his regret that the meeting with Patriarch Gregorios had been about sad things. He expressed himself pleased and honoured by the visit. Thanking him, Patriarch Gregorios reminded Archbishop Gregorios that the Holy Land is the land of Christians, as it is filled with places sanctified by the Lord. He admitted to being sad, but not pessimistic.     V.C.                                                               

 

Meeting between H.B. Gregorios III, Greek Catholic Patriarch of Antioch, of Alexandria, of Jerusalem and All the East and His Grace Rowan Williams, Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury
at Lambeth Palace, London, 18 September, 2006

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Patriarch Gregorios, accompanied by Father Shafiq AbouZayd was greeted initially by Rev. Anthony Ball of the Archbishop’s International Department with responsibility for Ecumenical Affairs and International Issues including the Middle East and by Rev. David Peck, the Archbishop’s Secretary for International Development.

Patriarch Gregorios outlined his concern for the Lebanon, which lies devastated after thirty-three days of war. Waves of emigration occur after every war, making rebuilding seem pointless if there is no peace for the rising generation. Pluralism, living together, dialogue between different communities will cease and there will be no living representatives of Eastern Christendom to prevent the polarisation of the world into Western Christian and Muslim East. Europe, in supporting Israel, will be seen to be supporting the enemy of the Islamic world. His Beatitude urged Western Christians to raise their voices in support of their Eastern brethren. Either conflict must cease or the Christian presence in the Middle East will come to an end. It is absurd for the West to make war rather than peace in the Middle East. 2005 was supposed to see the founding of the Palestinian state alongside the Israeli state. It appears that the West is unwilling to support peaceful initiatives, thus negating all the work done by Middle Eastern Churches towards interfaith dialogue and co-operation.

At the moment it seems that the Middle East is becoming a series of ghettos. Israel now includes all those Jews who formerly lived throughout Arab countries, in Baghdad, Cairo, and Damascus. It seems that there are plans in the UN for everyone in the Middle East to be divided into ghettos, with areas for Jews, Shi’a and Sunni Muslims, Druzes, Christians and so on. His Beatitude saw that as an unworthy future: as Patriarch he would remain in his native land, but there would be no-one left in his Church. Soon it was likely there would be no more Christians in the holy places. Of fifty-three Christian villages in the Nablus area, there remain only cemeteries open for the emigrants to return for burial. Churches are closed: of three hundred and fifty thousand Christians of all denominations, only seven hundred are left. His Beatitude urged ecumenical co-operation to make pressure on the government to insist on peace. Interfaith dialogue is essential for the re-establishment of peace.

The Archbishop of Canterbury now began by saying that he had both written to the Prime Minister, Tony Blair and spoken to him in the last week about the situation of Christians in the Middle East. Although many members of government are ill-informed, the Prime Minister knows it well. His Grace had written on the subject of the Middle East in August, basing what he said on communications received from the Lebanon. In addition, he was kept informed about the situation from his own bishop and by his Orthodox brethren.

His Beatitude said that he had heard of the destruction of twenty-five churches, Catholic, Orthodox and Maronite in the recent war, so that the havoc wreaked was not just a problem for Muslims and that peace had to be sought between all parties.

Archbishop Williams admitted that he had not recently spoken to the Foreign Secretary about this, but believed that there would be something in the press soon. He expected to discuss the issue with Cardinal Murphy O’Connor at a future date.

Patriarch Gregorios said he had received many offers of help from Muslim countries and organizations. Qatar, the Emirates, even Hezbollah, were offering to rebuild churches, monasteries and hospitals. Had the Archbishop of Tyre been able to obtain a visa, he would have talked about the situation in his eparchy, but the British Embassy in Beirut was closed. His Beatitude esteemed it important for Lebanese Christians to know that their European brethren cared: help from Muslims is not enough. Already on his European tour, $100,000 had been collected. But there have been $600,000 worth of damage, without counting family homes, fields, lost crops and livestock. Perhaps $4,000,000 is nearer the true cost. It is right that churches should show solidarity, even in a symbolic way and that offers of help from Muslims be balanced with help from Christians abroad. A show of European-wide solidarity would give hope and courage.

Most help (75%) given by the Patriarchate had gone to Muslims and just a quarter of the funds had been spent on Christians. Most refugees were Shi’ite Muslims. After 17 July, all institutions of the Patriarchate had open doors and asked no questions of their guests. Of the 300,000 refugees who came to Syria, 6,000 were received in the Patriarchate in Damascus, where they remained for thirty-three days. Volunteers worked around the clock to care for their needs. On 5 August, broadcasts were made on the BBC and Télélumière. In the monastery of Maara, people lived like one big family. Muslims donated necessaries anonymously. Hotels gave free meals. The monastery was given a refrigerated lorry and a clinic was set up with the help of a doctor and a chemist. All helped each other, in Lebanon and Syria.

As for international aid, the Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Athens came with tons of food to Syria. The Syrian government and individuals helped. Monasteries and Muslim organizations helped. On 14 August, just two hours after the ceasefire was declared, people returned, without waiting for the Lebanese army to arrive or the Israelis to leave. Once home, however, they could not go out to the fields to harvest the tobacco and olives, for fear of the unexploded fragmentation bombs everywhere. At present, Lebanese soldiers, together with some Italian and French are involved in the clearance operations. The Lebanon became like a series of islands, with no water, electricity or roads. His Beatitude left Lebanon on 12 July, planning to return after five days, but he was prevented by the destruction of the roads and bridges.

Caritas, Christian Aid, non-governmental organizations can all contribute. The Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops have met in Lebanon and have sought to co-operate with the Orthodox to some extent in ensuring that Christian communities receive their fair share (30%) in proportion to their numbers. ALPEC has sought to organise and publicise aid. In Tyre, Baalbek and Marjayoun a committee has been set up to see what is happening and enable the Christian community to receive their due. Without hope, the young grow up in an atmosphere of violence and become terrorists and a prey to fundamentalism. It is very easy for the imams to inflame emotion. Then there is the Internet. Making peace is “to be or not to be” for Christians. It is not an academic question.

Father Ball said that work could be done at two different levels: development on the ground  (the Anglican Church has experience from Africa of working with people after conflict) ;long-term search for peace in the Middle East, in the Lebanon, Syria, Jordan.

Patriarch Gregorios said that the Christian presence has gone down by nine-tenths in some areas in the last half-century. Now, Christian hospitals, dispensaries, schools and colleges are there for the service of the Muslim majority. All are helped because such living together gives the basis for dialogue. Getting to know the others reduces aggressivity. It also gives a platform for Christian values. Ecumenism is based on living together on a daily basis: for this reason, the presence of Christians is vital. Members of different communities used to be able to trust each other from generation to generation and to rely on absolute honesty and regard that lasted longer than life.

Notes taken by V. Chamberlain

     

      Two days of talks and news conferences for H.B. Gregorios III in Paris

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His Beatitude Gregorios III, Patriarch of Antioch and all the East, of Alexandria and of Jerusalem, arrived in Paris on Wednesday 13 September from Fribourg, Switzerland, for two days of talks and news conferences with political and religious leaders. The Patriarch was accompanied during these talks with His Eminence Cardinal Ricard, president of the French Bishops’ Conference and Archbishop of Bordeaux, with His Excellency the Lord Archbishop of Paris André Vingt-Trois, and at the French Foreign Office, by His Excellency Archbishop George Bacouni, Metropolitan of Tyre and the Reverend Archimandrite Nicolas Antiba, Patriarchal Exarch in Paris and parish of Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre.

Both with Cardinal Ricard and with Archbishop Vingt-Trois, His Beatitude wanted on the one hand to bear our Church’s witness to the July war that Mgr. Bacouni lived through daily in his really tragically battered diocese of Tyre and on the other to wonder aloud about the future of our Christian way of life in the Lebanon and in the Holy Land. To ask that question means first raising the problem of peace and finding a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

A working dinner, chaired by the Adviser for Religious Affairs, Mr. Laurent Stefanini, was organised at the Foreign Office around His Beatitude and his accompanying delegation. Also taking part were the assistant director for East-Egypt, Mr. Hervé Besancenot as well as Jean-Christophe Augé, member of staff for Lebanon in the same department; Mr. Jean de l’Hermite, Adviser on Cults, Public Freedom and Foreign Affairs to Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin; the head of Foreign Service in France Madame Odile Sousipon; Ambassador Stéphane Chmelewsky and Mr. Denis Fromaget, assistant to the Adviser for Religious Affairs.

The situation in Lebanon, as indeed the situation of the region were reviewed, as was the compelling necessity of finding a solution through a just and lasting overall peace, for these conflicts which feed off each other with increasing hatred, death and destruction.

The experience lived through by the Metropolitan of Tyre was heard most attentively. His words brought the light of experience onto the terrible day to day reality of the war.

Monsignor Antiba was questioned at length about any problems that might have been encountered by members of our community who had fled to Paris from the zones subject to bombing.

This very short and tightly packed stay in Paris ended on Friday, 15 September, with a meeting with Mgr. Philippe Brizard, director of  l’Oeuvre d’Orient, and Michel de Soye, its secretary general. His Beatitude and Archbishop Bacouni began by thanking Mgr. Brizard and Michel de Soye for their willingness to help and efficiency that made it possible to send immediate emergency aid in the very early days of the conflict. This exchange allowed the directors of  l’Oeuvre d’Orient to get a true idea of the situation prevailing in our dioceses and of the nature of their needs.

At a press conference organised by l’OEuvre d’Orient there gathered round His Beatitude and Mgr. Bacouni a number of representatives of the Catholic press.

Facing the journalists, His Beatitude and Archbishop Bacouni took up again the main themes of their talks with various authorities, whom they also asked not to leave to Arab countries and Muslim organizations the monopoly of social help and solidarity.

The Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross brought together the parish community of  Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre, on Thursday 14 September for the celebration of the Divine Liturgy, presided over by His Beatitude.

V.C.

 

Deux journées d’entretiens et d’informations pour S.B. Gregorios III à Paris

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Sa Béatitude Gregorios III, Patriarche d’Antioche et de tout l’Orient, d’Alexandrie et de Jérusalem , est arrivé à Paris le mercredi 13 septembre en provenance de Fribourg (CH) pour deux jours d’entretiens et d’informations auprès des autorités tant religieuses que politique. Le patriarche était accompagné lors de ces entretiens avec Son Eminence le Cardinal Ricard, président de la conférence épiscopale française et archevêque de Bordeaux, avec Son Excellence Monseigneur André Vingt-Trois, archevêque de Paris et au ministère français des Affaires étrangères par Son Excellence Monseigneur Georges Baccouni, Métropolite de Tyr et Monseigneur l’Archimandrite Nicolas Antiba, Exarque patriarcal à Paris et curé de Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre.

Avec le cardinal Riccard comme avec Monseigneur Vingt-Trois, Sa Béatitude a voulu porter d’une part le témoignage de notre Eglise sur la guerre de juillet que Mgr Baccouni a vécu au jour le jour dans son éparchie de Tyr qui est véritablement et tragiquement un diocèse meurtri. De l’autre poser la question de l’avenir de notre chrétienté au Liban comme en Terre Sainte. Poser cette question c’est d’abord soulever le problème de la paix, d’une solution à trouver dans le conflit israélo-palestinien.

Un déjeuner de travail, présidé par le Conseiller aux Affaires Religieuses, Monsieur Laurent Stefanini,  a été organisé au Ministère des Affaires Etrangères autour de Sa Béatitude et de la délégation qui l’accompagnait. Y ont pris part le sous-directeur d’Egypte-Levant, Monsieur Hervé Besancenot ainsi que Jean-Christophe Augé, rédacteur Liban au même département, Monsieur Jean de l’Hermite, conseiller Cultes, Libertés publiques et Outre-Mer du Premier Ministre Dominique de Villepin, le chef de Service des Etrangers en France, Madame Odile Sousipon, l’ambassadeur Stéphane Chmelewsky ainsi que Monsieur Denis Fromaget, adjoint du Conseiller aux Affaires religieuses.

La situation au Liban et la situation régionale ont été passées en revue et l’obligatoire nécessité de trouver une solution pour une paix juste et global, donc durable pour ces conflits qui se nourrissent les uns et les autres avec toujours plus de haine, de morts et de destructions.

L’expérience et le vécu du Métropolite de Tyr ont été écoutés avec beaucoup d’attention. Ces propos ont apporté l’éclairage de l’expérience du quotidien terrible de la guerre.

Monseigneur Antiba a été longuement interrogé sur les éventuels problèmes qu’auraient rencontrés les membres de notre communauté ayant fuit les zones de bombardement pour Paris.

Ce très bref et très dense séjour parisien s’est achevé, vendredi 15 septembre, par une réunion avec Mgr Philippe Brizard, directeur de l’Oeuvre d’Orient, et Michel de Soye, Secrétaire général. Sa Béatitude et Mg Baccouni, ont commencé par remercier Mgr Brizard et Michel de Soye pour leur disponibilité et leur efficacité qui a permis l’envoi d’une aide d’urgence immédiate dés les premiers jours du conflit. Cet entretien a permis aux responsables de l’OEuvre d’Orient de se faire une idée exacte de la situation qui prévaut dans nos diocèses et de la nature des besoins.

Une conférence de presse organisée par l’OEvre d’Orient a réuni autour de Sa Béatitude et de Mgr Baccouni un certain nombre de représentants de la presse catholique.

Face à la presse, Sa Béatitude et Mg Baccouni ont repris les principaux thèmes de leurs entretiens avec les différentes autorités à qui ils ont aussi demandé de ne pas laisser le monopole de l’aide sociale et de la solidarité aux pays arabes et aux organisations musulmanes.

La fête de l’Exaltation de la Croix a réuni la communauté paroissiale de Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre, le jeudi 14 septembre pour la célébration de la Divine Liturgie présidée par Sa Béatitude.

 

Photos prises durant son voyage en France-Suisse et à Londre

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sa Béatitude Gregorios III en Allemagne

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        Sa Béatitude Gregorios III, patriarche d’Antioche et de tout l’Orient, d’Alexandrie et de Jérusalem des Grecs-Melkites Catholiques achève une visite en Allemagne articulée autour de deux événements majeurs ; le congrès fondateur de DINO a Munster, Initiative allemande pour le Proche-Orient, et la réunion annuelle de la section allemande de l’Ordre Patriarcal de la Sainte Croix de Jérusalem.

DINO a été fondée à l’initiative de Manfred Erdenberger, rédacteur en chef et journaliste vedette de WDR – avec le soutien de Sa Béatitude Gregorios III - pour que l’Allemagne et l’Europe puissent avoir un rôle clef dans la recherche de la paix au Proche-Orient. Tout un symbole, la réunion a eu lieu dans la salle même où a été signée la paix de Westphalie qui, en 1648, a mis fin à la guerre de 30 ans.

C’est à Aix-la-Chapelle (Aachen) que la réunion annuelle (1-3 septembre 2006) de la section allemande de l’Ordre Patriarcal de la Sainte Croix de Jérusalem s’est ouverte sous la présidence de Sa Béatitude Gregorios III. A cette occasion, Sa Béatitude a donnée une conférence sous le titre de « Paix, convivialité et présence chrétienne au Proche-Orient » et a fait diffuser un film décrivant et montrant les destructions des diocèses de Tyr, Marjeyoun et Baalbeck. Tyr étant véritablement une éparchie sinistrée.

La section allemande de l’Ordre Patriarcal de la Sainte Croix de Jérusalem soutient activement et depuis de longues années de très nombreux projets dont des écoles en Terre Sainte et des orphelinats en Syrie et au Liban.

La Divine Liturgie a été célébrée, le samedi 2 septembre, à la cathédrale d’Aix-la-Chapelle en présence d’un grand nombre de prêtres et de prélats.

Sa Béatitude a consacré la journée du 4 septembre à la visite de nombreuses institutions dont la Sainte Enfance, Misereor, Missio et l’Association de Terre-Sainte à Cologne.

A ces associations qu’il connaît depuis de très longues années et qui ont soutenu et continuent à soutenir ses très nombreux projets depuis les années 60, Sa Béatitude a dit toute l’horreur de cette guerre destructrice en leur décrivant les églises et les maisons détruites en particulier dans les villages frontaliers du sud du Liban.

Sa Béatitude a souligné le rôle des Eglises dans la quête de la paix au Proche-Orient seule solution aux crises qui déchirent la région semant la guerre, la violence, le fondamentalisme et la haine. Ses interlocuteurs ont saisi l’importance vitale du soutien que les Eglises d’Europe peuvent et doivent apporter à cette présence chrétienne qui témoigne et qui sert au sein de la société arabe et du monde islamique.

 

 

DINO(Deutsche Initiative fur den Nahen Osten)à Munster

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Pressemitteilung 

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Initiative für Nahen Osten in Münster gegründet
Westfälischer Frieden Vorbild für Initiative "Gerechte Wege zum Frieden“

Münster, 1. September 06 *  Die Prämissen des Westfälischen Friedens von 1648 hat sich die neu gegründete "Deutsche Initiative für den Nahen Osten" (D.I.N.O.), zum Vorbild für ihr Engagement genommen, Wege und Vorstöße zu einem gerechten Frieden im Nahen Osten zu unterstützen. Wie der Sprecher der Initiative, der frühere WDR-Chefredakteur Manfred Erdenberger, in Münster erläuterte, will die überparteiliche und interreligiöse Initiative mit einem Netzwerk von engagierten Menschen aus allen Bereichen den Versuch unternehmen, durch Aufklärungsarbeit das Verständnis für die komplizierten Zusammenhänge im Nahen Osten zu fördern sowie Vorbehalte und Intoleranz gegenüber allen Konfliktparteien abbauen.

Es sollen Informationen gesammelt, weitergegeben und Partner motiviert werden sich aktiv zu beteiligen. Mindestens einmal im Jahr sowie bei aktuellen Anlässen wird die Initiative die Situation im Nahen Osten öffentlich rekapitulieren und auf Möglichkeiten zu Fortschritten hinweisen.

Ziel sei es, die drei Kernforderungen des Westfälischen Friedens "Friede ist das höchste Gut“, "Befleißigt Euch der Gerechtigkeit, die Ihr auf Erden richtet" und "Man höre beide Parteien“  auch im Nahen Osten Gehör zu verschaffen.  Deutschland kommt nach Auffassung der Initiative eine besondere Verantwortung zu. Deshalb bedürften die Menschen dieser krisengeschüttelten Region mehr denn je und angesichts der aktuellen Entwicklungen Unterstützung über die tagespolitischen Aspekte hinaus.

Mitglieder der Initiative, die ihren Sitz in Münster nehmen wird, sind

Manfred Erdenberger, Sprecher der Initiative, früherer WDR-Chefredakteur
Prof. Dr. Rita Süßmuth, ehemalige Bundestagspräsidentin,
Avi Primor, langjähriger Botschafter Israels in Deutschland
Seine Seligkeit Gregorius III., Griechisch-Katholischer Patriarch von Antiochien und den ganzen Orient, von Alexandrien und von Jerusalem,
Manfred Kock, früherer Ratsvorsitzende der EKD in Deutschland,
Dr. Mitri Raheb, Bethlehemer Pfarrer der Ev.-Luth. Weihnachtskirche und Direktor des Internationalen Begegnungszentrums,
Msgr. Martin Hülskamp, Bischöflicher Offizial, Bistum Münster,
Jürgen Bremer, Kommunikationschef des Fernsehsenders PHOENIX
Rudolf Dressler, langjähriger Botschafter der Bundesrepublik Deutschland in Israel

Rückfragen an: Manfred Erdenberger

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Deutsche Initiative für den Nahen Osten (DINO)                          
Sprecher
Manfred Erdenberger

Kiefernweg 19
D-50767 Köln

Tel.: +49 (0)2 21 –
8 01 32 40
Fax: +49 (0)2 21 –
8 01 32 41

merdenberger@web.de
                                           

Geschäftsführer: Jürgen Bremer
Juergen.bremer@wdr.de

 

 

Grundlagen

Personen und Programme –       
Positionsbeschreibung der Initiative

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Grundlage für die Überlegungen zum Projekt „DINO“ – (Deutsche Initiative für den Nahen Osten) – waren viele Gespräche, die Manfred Erdenberger, langjähriger Chefredakteur und Politischer Chefkorrespondent des WDR sowie Commander des Ordens des Heiligen Lazarus zu Jerusalem mit Vertretern aus Politik und Kirche(n) geführt hat. Dabei ging es um die Frage, ob es nicht einen Weg gibt, Initiativen für den Nahen Osten aus Deutschland öffentlich und publizitätswirksam zu begleiten und zu unterstützen.

Geprägt durch seine ständigen Reisen in und seine Berichterstattung aus dem Nahen Osten in den letzten zehn Jahren, regte er an, einen Freundeskreis Gleichgesinnter zu gründen, der den Prozess zu Frieden und Ausgleich im Nahen Osten konstruktiv begleitet. DINO will einmal im Jahr die Situation im Nahen Osten öffentlich rekapitulieren und auf Möglichkeiten zu Fortschritten hinweisen.

Dieser Kreis soll sich bei aktuellen Anlässen  überparteilich und interreligiös zu Entwicklungen und Ereignissen  im Nahen Osten öffentlich zu Wort melden und den für alle Parteien im Nahen Osten schwierigen Prozess der Annäherung  moderierend unterstützen.

Der Nahe Osten als Wiege dreier großer Weltreligionen verdient eine besondere Aufmerksamkeit. Vor allem aber die Menschen in dieser immer wieder von Krisen und Kriegen geschüttelten Region bedürfen unserer intensiven Unterstützung über die tagespolitischen Aspekte hinaus. Dabei kommt Europa, insbesondere den Deutschen, eine besondere Verantwortung zu.

Im Kern geht es um den andauernden Konflikt zwischen Israel und den Palästinensern, aber auch um die Situation in den Nachbarstaaten von Ägypten über den Libanon, Jordanien  und  Syrien bis hin zu den Vorgängen im Irak und Iran. Mit anderen Worten: Es muss ein stärkerer Focus auch auf die Anrainerstaaten in der Region gelenkt werden. Es geht darum, die Probleme auf der täglichen Agenda und im Blickfeld der Öffentlichkeit zu halten.

Vor diesem Hintergrund will DINO – fern von (partei-)politischen Stellungnahmen und Einflüssen – mit einem Netzwerk engagierter Menschen aus allen Bereichen, den Versuch unternehmen, durch engagierte Aufklärungsarbeit das Verständnis für die komplizierten Zusammenhänge zu fördern, Vorbehalte aller Art und Intoleranz abzubauen und Chancen der Annäherung unter den streitenden Parteien auszuloten und zu unterstützen. Kurz gesagt: Informationen sammeln und weitergeben, Partner  motivieren und vermitteln,  Toleranz erzeugen.

Dabei sind die persönlichen Kontakte aller Mitglieder der DINO-Initiative von unschätzbarem Wert und haben in der Bündelung ein besonderes Gewicht. Vorträge, Interviews, Erklärungen jenseits der bekannten Stellungnahmen der Politiker und der Militärs, Podiumsdiskussionen und direkte Gespräche können unserer Auffassung nach einen wichtigen Beitrag leisten – und zwar in der Öffentlichkeit wie im Hintergrund.

Mit dem Sitz der Initiative und den Jahrestreffen in Münster knüpfen wir an die Tradition des Westfälischen Friedens von 1648 an, der Europa nach einem verheerenden 30jährigen Krieg den ersehnten Frieden brachte und die politischen wie religiösen Verhältnisse neu ordnete. Im Friedenssaal des Rathauses finden sich noch heute die Grundlagen für eben diese historische Übereinkunft, die als Modell für viele Krisenregionen dieser Erde – zu aller erst  Nahen Osten! – dienen sollte:

„Pax optima rerum“ – „...der Friede ist das höchste Gut“ – steht auf der Herdplatte im Kamin des Friedenssaales des Rathauses, in Sichtweite dieses Domes. Dazu am Kronleuchter: „Befleissigt Euch der Gerechtigkeit, die ihr auf Erden richtet...!“, und auf der Gerichtsschranke „Man höre beide Parteien“. Als Gebrauchsanweisung drei schlichte Sätze, die der Schlüssel zum Frieden von 1648 waren und Erfahrungen mit Leid und Tod, Verwüstung und Vertreibung, religiöse Verblendung und Intoleranz beendeten.

Ein Friede, von dem der frühere Bundespräsident Roman Herzog schrieb: „Er beeinflusste tief und dauerhaft die zwischenstaatlichen Beziehungen und den Kanon der Grund- und Menschenrechte, die Verfassungen einer Reihe europäischer Glaubensgemeinschaften in Europa. Vor allem bleibt er Vorbild für die Fähigkeit, nach Zeiten ungeheuren Schreckens wieder eine auf gegenseitige Achtung gegründete Ordnung zu stiften.“

Zu DINO – Deutsche Initiative für den Nahen Osten – gehören von Beginn an Manfred Kock, der ehemalige Ratsvorsitzende der EKD in Deutschland, sowie der Bethlehemer Pfarrer der Ev.-luth. Weihnachtskirche und Direktor des Internationalen Begegnungszentrums, Dr. Mitri Raheb. Dr. Raheb wird im November dieses Jahres mit dem renommierten „Tschelebi-Friedenspreis 2006“ des Zentralinstituts Islam-Archiv Deutschland in Soest ausgezeichnet.

Ebenfalls seit Beginn dabei sind der Münsteraner Domkapitular und Prior des Ritterordens vom Heiligen Grab zu Jerusalem, Monsignore Martin Hülskamp,  Avi Primor, der langjährige Botschafter Israels in Deutschland, sowie der Kommunikationschef des Ereigniskanals von ARD und ZDF, PHOENIX, Jürgen Bremer. 

Primor arbeitet inzwischen als Leiter des Zentrums für Europäische Studien (an der Privatuniversität von Herzliyya (IDC)) und als Publizist. An diesem Zentrum kooperiert er mit Vertretern der Palästinensischen Universität von Ost-Jerusalem und Ammans/Jordanien. Damit schlägt er sowohl eine Brücke in die Region als auch nach Europa.

Erweitert wurde die Runde sehr schnell  um den früheren und im Januar verstorbenen Bundespräsidenten Dr. h.c. Johannes Rau, den Manfred Kock für ein Engagement gewinnen konnte. Rau hat sich als Ministerpräsident, Bundesrats- und Bundespräsident sowie innerhalb der Ev. Kirche stets für einen Ausgleich im Nahen Osten eingesetzt und ist seit 1986 als erster Deutscher Ehrendoktor der Universität von Haifa. Er ist zugleich Ehrenmitglied des Jerusalemer „Israel-Museums“. Zu der Runde gehörte bis zum seinem Tode im April 2006 auch der Präsident des Zentralrats der Juden in Deutschland, Paul Spiegel.

Neu in der Runde ist seit März 2006 die frühere Bundestagspräsidentin, Frau Prof. Dr. Rita Süssmuth. Sie hat sich in vielfältiger Form für die Belange eines friedlichen Miteinanders der Menschen verschiedener Herkunft und Religion eingesetzt und genießt national wie internnational ein hohes Ansehen. Die DINO-Runde begrüßt mit Respekt und Dank ihre Bereitschaft zur Mitarbeit in diesem ehrenamtlich engagierten und tätigen Gremium. 

Im Juni 2006 wurde der Kreis erweitert um Seine Seligkeit Gregorios III., Griechisch-Katholischer Patriarch von Antiochien und dem ganzen Orient, von Alexandrien und von Jerusalem. Seine Begründung für die Teilnahme: „26 Jahre im Heiligen Land sind für mich ein Engagement für diesen gewünschten Frieden im Heiligen Land, der der Schlüssel ist für den Frieden im Nahen Osten und in der ganzen Welt“.

Inzwischen hat auch Bundespräsident Prof. Dr. Horst Köhler durch den Leiter der Abteilung Außenpolitik im Bundespräsidialamt, Dr. Wolf Kischlat, auf die schriftliche Vorstellung der Initiative antworten lassen. Er schreibt u.a.:

„Der Bundespräsident schätzt insbesondere den positiven Beitrag, den die Zivilgesellschaft zur Moderation – und vielleicht einmal zur Lösung – des Nahostkonfliktes leistet... Er teilt die Ziele Ihrer Deutschen Initiative für den Nahen Osten.“

Ferner bittet der Bundespräsident um Verständnis, dass er mit Rücksicht auf das Amt und die damit verbundene Neutralität mit Unterstützungszusagen „äußerst restriktiv umgehen muss“. Er übermittelt aber gleichzeitig „gute Wünsche für den weiteren Erfolg Ihrer Arbeit“. Wir denken, auch das ist ein Zeichen der Ermutigung und Unterstützung unserer anspruchsvollen Ziele.

Rudolf Dressler, langjähriger Botschafter der Bundesrepublik Deutschland in Israel, vormals SPD-MdB und Parlamentarischer Staatssekretär, hat sich jetzt ebenfalls der DINO-Initiative angeschlossen. Er hat sich weit über seine diplomatische Tätigkeit hinaus  für die Region des Nahen Ostens, insbesondere in Israel und Palästina, für eine friedliche Lösung der Konflikte eingesetzt. Rudolf Dressler wird sein bisheriges Engagement für die Region und den europäischen Part auch bei DINO weiter aufrechterhalten.

Seine Mitarbeit und Unterstützung hat Anfang September 2006 auch der langjährige deutsche Außenminister und Vizekanzler der Bundesrepublik Deutschland, Dr. Klaus Kinkel zugesagt. Er ist derzeit u.a. Vorsitzender der Stiftung der Deutschen Telekom.

Dr. Kinkel hat sich über viele Jahre aktiv für Frieden und Verständigung im Nahen Osten eingesetzt und vor allem in seiner Arbeit für die Stiftung immer wieder Projekte und Begegnungen gefördert. Trotz seiner vielfältigen Ämter und Verpflichtungen ist er nun nach intensiven Kontakten mit DINO-Sprecher Manfred Erdenberger der Initiative beigetreten.

Köln, im September 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

H.B. Gregorios III visited

 

Genève 12-13 Septembre 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

San Gualtero-Lodi 9-11 September

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The Holy Land-Germany on the 4th of September 2006

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5th CONGRESS OF

THE MELKITE CATHOLIC BISHOPS OF
AMERICA & OCEANIA
In Montreal, June 12-18, 2006

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The Melkite Catholic Bishops of America & Oceania held their 5th Congress in Montreal on June 12—18, 2006.

Presided over by His Beatitude Gregorios III, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, of Alexandria and Jerusalem, the Congress was hosted by Bishop Ibrahim Ibrahim, Eparch of Montreal and All Canada. The participants were hosted at Villa St. Martin, Cartier Ville, Montreal, where most of the meetings took place.

As in the past Congresses, participants of this Fifth Congress included the Melkite hierarchs of the countries of emigration where an official Melkite Catholic jurisdiction is established, namely:
Canada, Bishop Ibrahim Ibrahim, BSO, Melkite Eparch of Montreal and All Canada;
Australia, Bishop Issam John Darwish, BSO, Melkite Eparch of Australia and New Zealand, Executive Secretary of the Congress;
Brazil, Archbishop Fares Maakaroun, MSP, Melkite Eparch of Sao Paulo and All Brazil;
the United States of America, Archbishop Cyril Salim Bustros, MSP,  Eparch of Newton and All the United States; Bishop John Adel Elya, BSO, Eparch Emeritus of Newton, and Bishop Nicholas Samra, Titular Bishop of Gerash, former Auxiliary Bishop of Newton;
And Venezuela, Bishop George Kahhaleh Zouhairaty, BAO, Apostolic Eparch of Venezuela.
Archimandrite Gabriel Ghanoum, BSO, Patriarcal Administrator of the Melkite Community of Mexico attended as member.
Other participants as observers included Archimandrite Nicholas Antiba, BAO, accompanying His Beaitude and acting as recording Secretary; Father Robert Rabbat. Editor-in-Chief of Sophia Magazine, Archimandrite Paul Abdallah Sayegh, BSO, Vicar General of the Eparchy of Australia, accompanying Bishop Issam; and the local priests of the Parish of St. Sauveur: Fathers Antoine Saad, BSO, Dany Touma, BSO & Makarios Wehbeh, BSO.
Missing was a representative from Argentina, where the Apostolic Exarch had resigned and a new Eparch is awaited to be chosen by the Holy Father Pope Benedick XVI. A “Terna” (three candidates) was elected by the June, 2006 Melkie Synod and presented to the Pope..

On Sunday, June 11, 8:00 PM, as an introduction to the Congress, a Recital was offered by “La Chorale d’Antioche,” of the Parish of St. Sauveur, directed by Father Dany Touma, BSO, at the church of St. Viateur in Montreal.
 
Monday, June 12, 3:00 PM – First session of the Congress. Discussion and approval of the Schedule. A short discussion took place regarding the name of this bi-annual assembly. It was agreed to call it the Congress of the Bishops of America & Oceania, rather than the Bishops of Emigration or of the Diaspora. 
 5:00 PM – Vesper Service with the priests of the Eparchy at Villa St. Martin.
 7:00 PM – Solemn Opening of the Congress by His Beatitude, at the “Melkite Center of Montreal, followed by Reception and Dinner.

Tuesday, June 13, 9:30 AM – 2nd Session of the Congress. “The Experience of the Married priesthood in the countries of Emigration.” Presented by Bishop John Issam Darwish, of Australia & New Zealand,
 11:00 AM – 3rd Session. “The Revival of Our Pastoral Work.” By Bishop John A. Elya, Eparch Emeritus of Newton,
 4:00 PM – 4th Session – “Difficulties in Our Pastoral Work.” By Archbishop Fares Maakaroun of Brazil.
 6:30 PM – Visit to the Urgel Bourgie Gardens (Cemetery), at the graves of Bishop Sleiman Hajjar, former Eparch of Montreal and Archimanadrite George Coriaty, BSO.. A short funeral service was offered for them and for other departed brothers  Archbishop Ignatius Raad of Saida, Lebanon, Archbishop Joseph Raya of Akka & Nazareth; Archimandrite Antoine Mouhanna of Mexico, and Archimandrite André  Karamé of Buenas Aires, Argentina and Archimandrite Fouad Nasr , BSO.
 8:00 PM – Reception and Dinner offered at the Lebanese Consulate by Mr/Mrs Khalil ElHabre, Consul General of Lebanon in Montreal.

Wednesday, June 14, 9:30 PM – 5th Session. “Our Relations with the Latin (Roman Catholic) Churches in the Diaspoa.” By Bishop George Kahhale Zouhaitaty of Venezuela, and Archimandrite Gabriel Ghanoum about Mexico.
 11:00 PM – 6th Session. “Our Relations with the Eastern Churches
in the Diaspora.” By Archbishop Cyril Bustros of Newton, USA.
And a Report on the coming “Encounter of the Eastern Catholic Churches of Canada and the United States of America.” By Bishop Nicholas Samra, Director of the Encounter.
 In the afternoon, the Fathers of the Congress traveled  to Ottawa. They met with the parishioners of Saints Peter and Paul Melkite Church and their priests Archimandrite Habib Kwaiter, BSO aand Francois Beirouti; and they stayed overnight in Ottawa. They celebrated with them the Vespers of the Feast of Corpus Christi, followed by a Reception in the Church Hall. 

On Thursday, June 15, after celebrating the Divine Liturgy of the Feast of Corpus Christi, at the Church of Sts. Peter and Paul, the Fathers visited the Parliament and the Senate of Canada where they were received by Senator Pierre DeBané.
 At 10:30 AM, a lecture was offered by Senator Pierre DeBané, “A View of our Melkite Church in the world.” The Senator spoke about the role of the laity in the Church and his experience regarding “The Melkite International Foundation, - A Project to Deepen Solidarity among the Melkites of the World.” This project was approved by the Melkite Synod in October, 1990.
 During the visit to the Parliament Building, His Beatitude Patriarch Gregorios accompanied by Bishop Ibrahim had a 25 minute meeting with His Excellency Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada. The main topic was about the Melkite Church in Canada and in the East.
 At 12:00 PM, the Fathers went for a Reception and Dinner at the Apostolic Nunciature of Canada at the invitation of the Papal Nuncio Archbishop Luigi Ventura. After dinner, they returned to Montreal.
  In the evening, a Reception was given in honor of His Beatitude at the house of His Excellency Fares El Attar, Honorary Consul of Syria.

Friday, June 16, 9:30 AM – 7th Session. “The Translation of Liturgical Texts in English and Spanish.” Presented by His Beatitude the Patriarch.
 11:00 AM – 8th Session. “The Melkite International Association.” (Internet). By Bishop Issam John Darwish of Australia & New Zealand.
 3:00 PM – “Future Vision of our Melkite Church in the Countries of Emigration.” By Bishop Ibrahim Ibrahim of Canada.
6:30 PM – Ground Breaking of the new Cathedral of the St. Sauveur in Montreal. Followed by Reception in the Melkite Center of Montreal (Same grounds). 

Saturday, June 17, 9:30 AM – Final Session. Recommendations and decisions. The Final Report.
 6:30 PM – Reception and Dinner in the house of the Chairman of the Eparchial Pastoral Council of the St. Sauveur Parish and General Director of the Construction Project, Joseph Chalhoub and his wife Sandie.

On Sunday, June 18, at 12:00 noon, the 5th Congress of the Bishops of America and Oceania was concluded with the Patriarchal Divine Liturgy at Our Lady of the Angels Church in Montreal.

RESOLUTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The following (20) resolutions and recommendations taken by the 5th Congress of bishops of America and Oceania were read by Bishop Ibrahim Ibrahim during the Divine Liturgy at the Conclusion of the Congress:
MARRIED PRIESTS

1 – The Fathers praise the work of the priests, celibate, married or religious and of the deacons in their Eparchies. They appreciate their sacrifices and bless their efforts and their pastoral work.

2 – The Fathers continue their endeavors to confirm our Eastern tradition to have married priests in the Eparchies of Emigration as is the case in the Patriarchal Regions.

THE BOOK OF THE DIVINE LITURGY

3 - The Fathers decided to form a Liturgical Commission working to unify the text of the Divine Liturgy in the common languages of the Countries of Emigration; namely the English, the French and the Spanish.

REGARDING PASTORAL WORK

4 - The Fathers are seeking to establish congregations of men and women to the service of our dedicated to the service of our children in the Diaspora.

5 – The Fathers decided to adopt the project of “the Melkite International Association” aiming to build communication between the faithful of our Church who are spread throughout the world, through an electronic net containing social, cultural and spiritual programs. They appointed the Most Reverend Issam John Darwish to pursue this project.

6 – The Fathers decided to adopt the project of “the International Melkite Foundation” exposed to them by Senator Pierre De Bané, Member of the Senate of Canada, and to revive it in the Eparchies of Emigration. They appointed the Most Reverend Ibrahim to pursue this subject.

7 – His Beatitude the Patriarch is the Patron of this new Institution.

8 – The Fathers decided to support the project of “the Melkite Solidarity” presented by His Beatitude the Patriarch, through which each bishop will collect the names of those who wish to participate in this project.

9 – The Fathers welcome in their churches all the faithful from the different churches and groups. They will make them participate in our astern heritage through the Liturgy and other activities.   

WAYS TO REVIVE THE PASTORAL WORK

10 – The Fathers will endeavor to find new and attractive ways to revive the pastoral work and to spread the Good News.

11 – The Fathers insist on the role of the liturgical prayer in the life of the priest and of the groups in the parishes. They will work to establish prayer groups.

RELATIONS WITH THE EASTERN CHURCHES

12 – The Fathers will work toward a greater rapprochement among the Eastern Churches, considering that this is a fundamental part of their historic mission.

13 – The Fathers will work, in their respective Eparchies, to coordinate with the other Eastern Church regarding the subjects common among them.

RELATIONS WITH THE LATIN CHURCHES

14 – The Fathers highly appreciate the support that the Latin Curches offer to our churches.

15 – The Fathers will work toward cooperation with the local Latin priests in responding to the needs of the faithful.

VISION FOR THE FUTURE OF OUR CHURCH IN THE DIASPORA

16 – The Fathers will work toward fostering the role of the laity in all the domains in the life of the Church, especially regarding the role of the various Eparchial and parish councils.

17 – The Fathers recommend to encourage the establishment of a special budget to secure the expenses needed for evangelization in the parishes as for religious education books, parochial bulletins, religious publications, Internet pages, liturgical music, liturgical books and other various didactic programs.

18 – The Fathers recommend to perform the liturgical and pastoral services in the local languages while keeping the Arabic language.

19 – The Fathers value the responsibilities assumed by the young people in their parishes. They invite them for more dedication to their church and more commitment to its mission.

20 – His Beatitude the Patriarch blesses the work of the Congress of the Melkite Greek Catholic Bishops in America and Oceania for the important role that it has for the prosperity and progress of our Eparchies.
 
On the consensus of all the participants, the 5th Congress of the Bishops 0f America & Oceania has been very successful, very well organized and also very enjoyable. It was decided that the 6th Congress will take place in Brazil in 2008.

Here is a list of the four preceding Congresses.

First Congress held at Sao Paulo, Brazil, on April 28-May 4, 1997. hosted and preside by Bishop Boutros Mouallem, MSP, Eparch of Sao Paolo.

Second Congress held at Caracas, Venezuela on April 27-May 3, 1998, hosted and presided by Bishop George Kahale Zuhairaty, BAO, Eparch of aracas and All Venezuela.

Third Congress held in Sydney & Melbourne, Australia,  on July 8-16, 2000, hosted and presided by Bishop Issam John Darwish, Eparch of Australia and New Zeeland.

The Fourth Congress on May 11-20, 2001, held in Boston, Detroit and Cleveland, USA, presided over by His Beatitude Patriarch Gregorios III, Sponsored by Bishop John A. Elya, Eparch of Newton.

Vème Congrès des Evêques Grecs-Melkites Catholiques dans les pays de la Diaspora-Montréal-Canada
Du 11 au 18 juin 2006

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          Le cinquième Congrès des Évêques Grecs- Melkites catholiques dans les pays de la Diaspora a clôturé ses séances le dimanche 18 juin 2006. Ce Congrès, qui a duré une semaine complète, s’est tenu sous la prévidence de Sa Béatitude le patriarche Grégoire III Laham, patriarche d’Antioche et de tout l’Orient, d’Alexandrie et de Jérusalem, la direction de l’ordinaire de l’éparchie Melkite du Canada, Monseigneur Ibrahim Ibrahim, et la direction de Monseigneur  Issam Darwich, évêque d’Australie et de la Nouvelle-Zélande.

  En marge des actes du Congrès, voici quelques rencontres et activités importantes qui eurent lieu :
- Dimanche 11 juin 2006 : Assistance à une soirée de chants à l’occasion de la Pentecôte, animée par la chorale d’Antioche, sous la direction du Père Dany Touma.
- Lundi 12 juin 2006 : Ouverture du Congrès en présence d’un grand public religieux, politique et civil, au Centre Melkite de Montréal.
- Mardi 13 juin 2006 : Prière d’absoute devant la tombe du très regretté Monseigneur Sleiman Hajjar et du regretté Archimandrite Georges Coriati. La prière fut offerte aussi pour le repos de l’âme des très regrettés Messeigneurs Ignace Raad et Joseph Raya ainsi que des archimandrites Fouad Nasr, Antoine Mouhanna et André Karamé. Ensuite tout le monde s’est dirigé à Outremont pour la visite du siège de l’Évêché. Suivit un souper offert par l’honorable Consul général du Liban, Monsieur Khalil El Habr.
- Mercredi 14 juin 2006 : Tout le monde s’est dirigé vers Ottawa où furent célébrées les vêpres propres à la Fête du Saint Sacrement, suivies d’une rencontre avec un grand public composé des membres et des invités de la paroisse.
- Jeudi 15 juin 2006 : Dans la matinée, célébration de la Divine Liturgie, puis tout le monde s’est dirigé vers le Parlement où ils furent accueillis par le Sénateur Pierre De Bané, qui a donné une conférence sur le rôle des laïcs dans l’Église, à travers son expérience dans le projet de « La Fondation Melkite Internationale ». Cette rencontre s’est tenue dans le bureau privé du président du Sénat. À 10h45, Sa Béatitude, accompagné de l’Ordinaire du lieu et Président du Congrès, Monseigneur Ibrahim Ibrahim, rencontra le Premier Ministre Monsieur Stephen Harper. Cette rencontre dura environ 25 minutes, où furent traités des sujets concernant la vie de l’Église en Orient et au Canada. Ensuite tout le monde s’est dirigé à la Nonciature Apostolique où ils prirent le repas de midi à la table du Nonce Apostolique Monseigneur Luigi Ventura. Puis retour à Montréal où, le soir, une réception accueillait tout le monde dans le domaine de l’honorable Consul honoraire de Syrie, Monsieur Farès El Attar.
- Vendredi 16 juin 2006 : Bénédiction de la terre où sera construite la nouvelle cathédrale
      St- Sauveur, suivie d’une grande réception dans la salle du Centre Melkite de Montréal.
- Samedi 17 juin 2006 : Souper chez Monsieur Joseph Chalhoub, président du comité de la  
      Cathédrale et directeur du projet de la construction.
- Dimanche 18 juin 2006 : Célébration de la Divine Liturgie avec les paroissiens, présidée
      par Sa Béatitude, et au cours de laquelle Monseigneur Ibrahim Ibrahim fit connaître les
     décisions et les recommandations suivantes du Congrès :

- Les prêtres mariés :
            Les Pères du Congrès apprécient le travail des prêtres célibataires, mariés ou religieux
            et des diacres, dans leurs éparchies respectives, considèrent aussi leurs sacrifices et
            bénissent leurs efforts ainsi que leur travail pastoral.
      Les Pères du Congrès poursuivent leurs démarches pour que soit reconnue notre tradition
      orientale, à savoir la présence de prêtres mariés dans les éparchies de la Diaspora, comme
      c’est le cas dans tout le Patriarcat.

- Le Livre de la Divine Liturgie :
Les Pères du Congrès ont décidé de former un comité de liturgie pour unifier le texte de la Divine Liturgie, selon les langues communes dans les pays de la Diaspora, à savoir l’anglais, le français et l’espagnol.

- En ce qui concerne la pastorale :
Les Pères du Congrès cherchent à fonder des Associations d’hommes et de femmes consacrés au service de nos fidèles dans les pays de la Diaspora.
L’adoption du projet « Association Melkite Internationale » a pour but de créer des liens entre les fidèles de notre Église, hommes et femmes, disséminés à travers le monde, et ce, grâce à un réseau électronique, qui comprend des programmes sociaux, culturels et spirituels. Monseigneur Issam Youhanna Darwiche a été chargé de faire suite à ce projet.
Les Pères du Congrès ont décidé d’adopter le projet « Fondation Melkite Internationale », que leur a présenté le sénateur Pierre De Bané, membre du Sénat canadien, et qu’il reprenne vigueur dans les éparchies des pays de la Diaspora. Monseigneur Ibrahim fut chargé d’y faire suite. Sa Béatitude parraine cette nouvelle Fondation.
Les Pères du Congrès ont décidé aussi de soutenir le projet « Solidarité Melkite », qu’a présenté sa Béatitude. Chaque évêque est invité à recueillir des noms de personnes qui veulent participer à ce projet.
Les Pères du Congrès accueillent tous les fidèles de diverses Églises ou communautés dans leurs propres Églises, et travaillent à les associer à notre patrimoine oriental, à travers la liturgie et les activités.

- Comment vivifier le travail pastoral?
Les Pères du Congrès cherchent des moyens nouveaux et attrayants pour vivifier le travail pastoral et répandre l’évangélisation.
Les Pères du Congrès insistent sur le rôle de la prière liturgique dans la vie du prêtre et des communautés, dans les paroisses de leurs éparchies respectives, et travaillent pour fonder des communautés de prière.

- Relations avec les Églises orientales :
Les Pères du Congrès travaillent pour un plus grand rapprochement entre les Églises orientales, considérant que c’est un point essentiel de leur mission historique.
Les Pères du Congrès travaillent aussi, dans leurs propres Éparchies, pour coordonner, avec les autres Églises orientales, les sujets communs entre eux.

- Relations avec les Églises latines :
Les Pères du Congrès considèrent fortement l’appui que les Églises latines offrent à nos Églises.
Les Pères du Congrès travaillent pour collaborer avec les prêtres latins locaux en vue de répondre aux besoins des fidèles.

- Vision d’avenir pour notre Église de la Diaspora :
Les Pères du Congrès travaillent pour trouver et stimuler le rôle des laïcs dans tous les domaines de la vie de l’Église, en particulier en activant le rôle des divers Conseils éparchiaux et paroissiaux.
Les Pères du Congrès recommandent d’encourager l’établissement d’un budget spécial pour assurer les dépenses en vue de l’Évangélisation dans les paroisses, comme les livres de catéchisme, les revues paroissiales, les publications religieuses, les pages d’Internet, la musique liturgique, les livres concernant les célébrations et les divers autres programmes didactiques.
Les Pères du Congrès recommandent la nécessité d’assurer les services liturgiques et pastoraux dans les langues locales, tout en maintenant la langue arabe.
Les Pères du Congrès apprécient les responsabilités assumées par les jeunes dans leurs propres paroisses, et les invitent à plus d’appartenance à leur paroisse et à plus d’engagement  dans sa mission.

Sa Béatitude le Patriarche bénit les actes du Congrès des Évêques Grecs- Melkites catholiques d’Amérique et d’Océanie, et souligne son rôle important pour la prospérité et l’évolution de nos Éparchies.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paris-Rome

150e anniversaire de l’OEuvre d’Orient

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Crédits Photos: M. Olivier Figueros- M. Jean Pierre Marie- Mme Sandrine Marie

L’OEuvre d’Orient , l‘œuvre des Chrétiens de France au service des Chrétiens d’Orient, a célébré en grande pompe, du 15 au 24 mai 2006, à Paris et à Rome, le 150e anniversaire de sa fondation. Sa Béatitude Gregorios III a honoré de sa présence, tant à Rome qu’à Paris, les célébrations du jubilé.

Les responsables de l’OEuvre d’Orient ont réussi le pari de réunir 11 patriarches et évêques majeurs pour une semaine complète de réunions au plus haut niveau, de colloques et de célébrations liturgiques et la France officielle leur a réservé un accueil particulièrement chaleureux. La semaine a commencé par une rencontre riche en enseignement avec le Président Chirac au palais de l’Elysée, au cours de laquelle le président de la République française a notamment déclaré : « Ce 150ème anniversaire manifeste la pérennité et l'étroitesse des liens tissés entre la France et ces Eglises… En participant à l'organisation de  cet anniversaire, les autorités françaises réaffirment le prix qu'elles attachent à la présence séculaire de ces communautés qui sont une source de richesse et de diversité.  Les chrétiens d'Orient ont toujours été un pont entre Orient et Occident; ils ont contribué, depuis des décennies, à un dialogue des cultures que nous souhaitons voir  s'intensifier et s'approfondir. En outre, ces Eglises participent