The Conference of Secretaries of Christian World Communions met in Lebanon from 2 to 6 November. The annual meeting gathers leaders from Christian traditions for ecumenical fellowship, prayer and discussions on topics of shared interest. To share news from across different denominations and regions, each communion and multilateral organisation routinely presents a verbal and written report to update the conference.

This year, the conference was hosted by the Armenian Apostolic Church, Catholicosate of Cilicia, which provided a unique opportunity for churches in the Middle East to share their experiences, history and current challenges with church leaders from around the world alongside other business.

The Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, the Rt Revd Anthony Poggo, attended the meeting, accompanied by Canon Dr Christopher Wells, Director of Unity, Faith and Order at the Anglican Communion Office. They co-presented the report to the conference on behalf of the Anglican Communion.

Bishop Anthony described participation in this year’s meeting as ‘a huge privilege’. He said: ‘These annual gatherings are always special opportunities to share experiences, pray together and enjoy fellowship with colleagues serving in similar leadership roles across the different Christian communions around the world.

‘We are grateful to the Holy See of Cilicia of the Armenian Apostolic Church for their warm hospitality. One of the highlights of our meeting was the inspirational address by His Holiness Catholicos Aram I.’

In his address, Catholicos Aram spoke on the future of ecumenical engagement. ‘Ecumenism must be contextual and responsive to the realities of different regions, yet, at the same time, it must transcend the given context’, he said. ‘The essence of the ecumenical movement is togetherness, meaning praying, suffering, struggling for justice together, and working for reconciliation and peace. We cannot confine the aim of ecumenism to the pursuit of visible unity; it must embrace a broader and inclusive vision’.

During the conference, the group visited the Armenian Genocide Orphans' ‘Aram Bezikian’ Museum. The Museum outlined the details of the Armenian genocide from 1915 to1923, which caused the deaths of approximately 1.5 million Armenians and displaced many more. The church leaders heard historical and contemporary testimonies about how differences in religion and ideology can fatally divide societies or create opportunities for understanding and coexistence.

Speaking about the experience, Bishop Anthony said, ‘Lebanon’s constitutional recognition of its diverse Christian and Muslim religious communities offers an important example of religious diversity and coexistence. May this experience inspire other parts of the world to embrace mutual respect, dialogue and peaceful coexistence.’

Following the meeting, Bishop Anthony invited prayers for ‘Lebanon and the wider Middle East, particularly amid the current turmoil. Let us pray for peace, stability and stronger relationships among followers of the Abrahamic faiths and may God bless Lebanon and the entire region with peace.’

More information

See an article from the World Council of Churches about the address from His Holiness Catholicos Aram I to the Conference of Secretaries of Christian World Communions.

Read about the report to the Conference of Secretaries of Christian World Communions by the World Council of Churches.