Page 188 - THE ARMENIAN CHURCH_Neat

Ecumenical Engagement 189

understanding among the churches on the
way towards the visible unity of the church.
Ecumenical councils are the organic expres-
sion of the ecumenical movement. The
World Council of Churches, created in 1948
and located in Geneva, Switzerland, is the
most comprehensive and global manifes-
tation of the ecumenical movement. The
purpose of bilateral theological dialogues is
to clarify the theological, doctrinal, litur-
gical, and ethical differences and misunder-
standings existing among the churches and
to seek consensus on divisive issues.
The Armenian Church participates in the
ecumenical movement through the following
global and regional ecumenical bodies:
• World Council of Churches (WCC)
• Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)
• Conference of European Churches (CEC)
• Christian Conference of Asia (CCA)
Through its dioceses, the Armenian
Church contributes to the work of the fol-
lowing national ecumenical councils: the
National Council of the Churches of Christ in
the USA, the Canadian Council of Churches,
the Latin American Council of Churches, as
well as several local ecumenical councils
and committees. Representatives of the Ar-
menian Church take part in theological dia-
logues and consultations organized by Pro
Oriente, an ecumenical foundation of the