Armenian Church Participates in Conference of European Churches Working Group Meeting in Belgium
From November 26 to 27, a meeting of the "Peace, Security and Reconciliation" Working Group of the Conference of European Churches (CEC) was convened at the Ecumenical Centre in Brussels, Belgium. In attendance was Mrs. Paula Devejian, the representative of the Armenian Church in this Working Group of the CEC. The Armenian Church is one of ten Churches represented in this Working Group.
The purpose of the meeting was to identify and discuss current issues for the Working Group, and also to establish goals and tasks for the committee members. An overall theme for the group is the development and understanding of Christian perceptions for peace and reconciliation. The first undertaking is a review of the Security Strategy approved by the Commission of the European Union. A theological and practical commentary will be prepared and recommendations forwarded to the CEC for eventual distribution to the member Churches. Additionally, with an overall goal of formulating ways in which reconciliation can become a "mainstream" issue within Churches, it was decided to start a project of open dialogue between persons who have been directly affected by regional conflicts to study methodologies of conflict resolution and the possible participation and guidance by churches. Participants will be sought from the regions of Northern Ireland and the Balkans.
The Armenian Church, as a member of the Conference of European Churches, has representatives in various CEC structures. His Grace Bishop Yeznik Petrossian, General Secretary for Inter-Church Relations, represents the Armenian Church in the CEC Central Committee, as well as in the "Churches in Dialogue" Commission. Rev. Fr. Hovakim Manukian, a member of the Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin represents the Armenian Church in the "Church and Society" Commission.
The next meeting of the Working Group will be held in Brussels in May 2005.
