Items of Interest October 17, 2011 Issue

Clerics to draft charter promoting religious cooperation

“Orthodox leaders assess Christian presence in the Middle East” Ekklesia September 8, 2011.

At the invitation of the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, leaders from five historic centers of Christianity in the eastern Mediterranean region have met [September 1] to discuss matters of regional and global concern.

In addition to the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Orthodox churches of Alexandria, Antioch, Jerusalem, and Cyprus were represented.

Chief among issues under discussion were the path toward peace in the Middle East and the situation of minority Christian communities during a time of turmoil.

Other important topics included the preservation of the earth’s endangered ecosystems and possibilities for fostering interreligious dialogue.

The meeting adopted a proposal for “an encounter of religious leaders in the region, where a form of Mediterranean Charter would be drafted and proclaimed.”

The purpose of the charter would be to address environmental concerns and “contribute to the peaceful coexistence and cooperation among religions in this region today.” 

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