In the context of the Middle East Council of Churches' (MECC) belief in the importance of the youth role, and within the framework of the youth consultation project on the issue of Christian presence in the Middle East, the MECC Theological and Ecumenical Department which is organizing this project, held a meeting in Amman gathering a group of young women and men representing different Churches in Jordan.

This consultation was conducted in cooperation with the World Christian Student Federation in the Middle East, on Friday, June 17, 2022, at the headquarters of the Melkite Greek Catholic Archeparchy of Petra, Philadelphia and All Transjordan.

The first session began by celebrating the Prayer for Christian Unity, presided by Archbishop of the Archeparchy His Eminence Bishop Joseph Jbar,. It also included a brief presentation on the MECC's mission and its most important programs, as well as an explanation of the meeting’s topic and objectives.

As for the following three sessions, they were devoted to discussions on issues related to the current conditions that the region is passing through, in addition to the future expectations at the ecclesiastical and living levels. Hence, the participants in these sessions issued a report that was added to the results of similar youth consultations held previously in Lebanon, Iraq and Syria, so it will be submitted to the MECC General Secretariat and its Executive Committee.

At the end of the meeting, the participants recited prayers of intercession on the intention of the Church and its mission, presided over by Bishop Jbara. Then, they all went to the town of Al Fuhays, where they had a farewell dinner in a fraternal atmosphere.

The Jordanian youth, as well as the participants in the previous sessions, expressed their gratitude for the MECC's initiative, and hoped that MECC would repeat it at least once a year and for a longer period so that they can get to know each other better and have more ideas about each one’s Church and traditions. They also expressed their need to discuss spiritual and current issues.

A Meeting with the Youth Team at the Latin Church in Amman

Moreover, and in the context of his visit to Jordan, the Director of the MECC Theological and Ecumenical Department Father Dr. Antoine Al Ahmar met with the youth team at the Latin Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Tla’ Al-Ali in Amman, at its invitation, on the evening of Wednesday, June 22, 2022. The meeting included a lecture about the Christian faith in One Holy and Apostolic Church, which was followed by a session for dialogue and discussion on the topic of the Church’s Unity and the MECC role in this context.