Aram I
Catholicos of the Armenian Apostolic Church (See of Cilicia)
and WCC Central Committee moderator
Bio and press contact: see below.
Peace is an essential dimension of our Christian life and witness. Peace is a gift of God given to humanity through the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ. Peace is also a god-given vocation that must be fulfilled in obedient response to the call of God.
The churches of the United States of America and the churches in the Middle East are partners engaged in the same mission of God. I know how committed you are to peace, justice and reconciliation. Therefore, we must work together for peace, building mutual understanding and trust among religions and nations. This is the call of God and this is our prophetic role as church.
We must remind ourselves that peace and justice are closely interconnected. May God bless our churches. May God strengthen us in our common action for peace and justice.
Message delivered on 21 September, 2004, to mark the observance of the International Day of Prayer for Peace.
Biographical summary
Through his longstanding commitment to interreligious dialogue, the catholicos of the See of Cilicia of the Armenian Apostolic Church, His Holiness
Aram I
, has made a significant contribution to world peace. As its moderator, he has helped the WCC Central Committee to put interreligious dialogue and collaboration among the Council's priorities. On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Rwandan genocide, Aram I called on churches and the international community to ensure that the genocides of the 20th century are properly acknowledged and justice offered to the victims.
Media contact:
Krikor Chiftjian +961-4-410-001 / 2 / 3 cathcil@cathcil.org
Last edited on
September 19, 2004
by
Juan Michel
/ WCC