Long-form interview with China Christian Daily
An account of ecumenical service, MECC priorities, and building networks of knowledge and dialogue.
Professor · Dr.
Michel E. Abs
MICHEL E. ABS
Secretary General of the Middle East Council of ChurchesEconomist, sociologist and university professor
Without justice there is no peace
In conversation with the World Council of Churches, 2021
Biography
When knowledge becomes service
Across five decades, Professor Michel E. Abs has brought scholarship, institutional leadership and public service together—placing knowledge at the heart of dialogue, social justice and an engaged Christian presence in the Middle East.
Read the documented biographyDoctorate in sociology focused on economic behaviour, alongside graduate qualifications in economics and sociology.
University professor, lecturer and doctoral supervisor for nearly five decades.
Secretary General of MECC since October 2020; unanimously re-elected in 2024.
The Voice
The word, as spoken
Important Files: Countering hate speech in Cairo
A television episode with Professor Michel Abs on the Cairo conference and ways to promote human dignity and coexistence.
The recording and its rights remain with MECC; it plays from the original publisher channel and is not rehosted.Recording detailsOriginal source
Choose a recording
Media and institutional conversations with Michel Abs.
Sustainability and institution in a time of transition
The opening address to MECC's Executive Committee on sustainability, governance and the future of Christian presence.
The Face of Mary and shared paths of dialogue
The launch address for a women-led symposium on Mary as a shared and unifying figure.
Creation as stewardship: a Season of Creation message
A call to protect the environment in respect for the Creator and responsibility toward future generations.
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Preventing the assassination of Lebanon’s environment
Professor Michel Abs spoke at Saint Joseph University of Beirut during a conference on religious perspectives on Lebanon’s environmental crisis.
Words from the Heart for Difficult Times
Professor Michel Abs offers an analytical reading of Patriarch John X’s address opening the Holy Synod at Balamand.
Ecumenism brings Arabs together in Cairo to confront hate speech
Michel Abs reflects on the Cairo conference as an Arab platform for dialogue, human dignity and coexistence.
A prayer to Saint Teresa of Ávila on her feast day
A reflection by Michel Abs on prayer, love, unity and service through the witness of Saint Teresa.
Interview on protecting children in war and humanitarian response
Michel Abs discusses children affected by war and humanitarian response in Gaza, Lebanon and the West Bank.
Themes
Three threads in one body of thought
Peace makes justice possible
Reconciliation is not decoration; it is the structure that lets society protect the rights of its people.
Knowledge as public service
Research matters when it enters institutional decisions and listens to everyday life.
Unity is an action
Ecumenism is measured by what churches build together for people, not by slogans alone.
1970Graduation from the Orthodox School of the Annunciation in Beirut1978Around 1978: university teaching career (estimated)1980MECC service during the 1980s202009-18Elected Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches202010-17First official visit to Bkerke after his election as Secretary General202112-31The complete institutional record of 2021 activities202208-31Participation in the WCC's 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe202403-14Pope Tawadros II receives the MECC delegation202408-30Unanimously re-elected for a second term202501-23Meeting with Patriarch John X at Balamand202504-25WCC–MECC cooperation meeting in Beirut202511-18Meeting with the Italian Bilateral Military Mission in Lebanon202601-14Meeting with the WSCF regional secretary202602-27Receiving a delegation from the Sudanese Christian community in Lebanon202606-11A meeting with His Grace Anba Antonios in Beirut202606-12A delegation from the General Secretariat visits the Sheikh Al-Aql of the Unitarian Druze community202606-16Baghdad visit for the enthronement of Patriarch Mar Polis III Nona202607-27Receiving the head of social studies at Bayt Al-Hikma in Iraq202607-28A delegation from the Eastern Club for Civilizations Dialogue visits the Secretary General202608-05A congratulatory visit to Reverend Dr Rima Nasrallah202608-05Father Georges Al-Amil visits the Secretary General202608-06A cooperation agreement between the MECC and the World Student Christian Federation202608-12MECC Delegation at the Bzommar Exhibition202608-18Meeting with Catholicos Aram I in Bikfaya202608-18Receiving an Iranian Cultural Delegation at the General Secretariat202609-09Kerk in Actie delegation visit to strengthen partnership202609-10Meeting with the General Secretary of the Bible Society in the Gulf202609-15Meeting with Lebanese University President Bassam Badran202609-17Meeting with Anba Antonios in Sin El Fil202609-18Meeting with Kounin Mayor Khalil Al-Dabak202609-18MECC and Anba Abraam Charity sign a cooperation agreement202610-04Cairo regional conference on countering hate speech202610-04Opening of the ninth Al-Nour Festival for Culture and Creativity in Cairo202610-06Recognition of MECC media partners in Egypt202610-07Pope Tawadros II receives Michel Abs and the researchers’ delegation202610-07Meeting with Danmission on cooperation and future projects202610-07Visit with Archbishop Samy Fawzy Shehata in Cairo202610-23MECC partners visit Beirut Maronite Archdiocese, affirming coordination and cooperation202610-23MECC honors the Antiochian Orthodox Media Center in Balamand
