RTCYPP News 8.3.17

The Religious Leaders of Cyprus release their Joint Statement Condemning Violence Against Women and Girls at Ledra Palace Hotel, Nicosia.

The event brought together the religious leaders of Cyprus, leadership of the different faith communities and civil society, clerics, women’s organizations and political parties, municipal leaders of Nicosia, members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of the UN, the EU and the media.
“We are delighted that for the first time in the history of Cyprus the religious leaders of the Church of Cyprus, the Muftiate, the Armenian, Maronite and Latin Churches of Cyprus agreed to jointly address issues of violence against women,” said Salpy Eskidjian, the Executive Coordinator of the Office of RTCYPP and one of its co-founders. “This is the third significant joint statement we have facilitated for the religious leaders of Cyprus since we initiated the religious leaders’ dialogue in 2009, under the Auspices of the Embassy of Sweden in Nicosia, known as the RTCYPP. “We are deeply honored to work with them in this regard and encouraged with their commitment to continued dialogue and peacebuilding.”

RTCYPP News 25.12.16

Christmas Message of the Maronite Archbishop of Cyprus H.E. Youssef Soueif

“And He will be called…Prince of Peace!”
(Isaiah 9:6)

With faith and Joy we celebrate today the nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus, the Word of God, whom in the fulfilment of time, God the father sent Him to us, to be born from the Holy Spirit in the womb of Virgin Mary, becoming human yet without sin, making His dwelling among us, living with us, amidst us.
Yes, today we celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace as it was written in Isaiah “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (9:6)

What a beautiful prophecy, as through Jesus’ baptism in the river Jordan, he was proclaimed by God the Father, a beloved son, taking upon His shoulders the sins of the world, our sins, becoming Lord and Saviour and reconciling us with God to start His dwelling in us, in our hearts, minds and souls.
And when at the cross He was lifted high, He proclaimed: “It is finished” meaning “paid in full”, declaring the debt owed by mankind to God the father, was wiped away completely and forever.
On the cross, He made us a New Creation, giving us a Covenant of Sonship by sending forth the Holy Spirit into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”, making us as St Peter said “A Royal Priesthood, a Holy Nation, a people belonging to God”. (1/2 -9)

We are His instruments on earth, Peace makers and Keepers as St Mathew said: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God”(5/9)
We are the salt and the light, instruments of Love and Reconciliation, reflecting Him in our Lives, contributing to the World we are dwelling in, this world He has created and redeemed through His Incarnation, Baptism, His death and Resurrection, celebrating God’s marvellous plan that He has put forth before the creation of the World, every time we participate in the sacrament of the Eucharist, the Sacrament of Love and Peace, presented to us by the Prince of Peace, thousands of years ago in the city of Jerusalem.
Today indeed we celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace, as the angels proclaimed when announcing His birth to the shepherds: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth Peace to those on whom his favour rests.” (Lk 2:14)

This peace is the peace that was intended to be upon our World, and is destroyed every time we look around or watch the news. We are surrounded on a daily basis with a combination of conflicts, diseases, natural disasters environmental crises, wars, hatred and hardships. We live in a world where our eyes can hardly see His Peace and love, a world where humans became numbers more than people created on God’s image.
And one might wonder if this peace proclaimed in the Bible, was meant to be an inner one not affected by the circumstances around? A Peace that is not shaken by circumstances and hardships, a Peace that is rooted in the hearts of those who worship Him, living for Him, working through Him, forgiving, building, loving and proclaiming His love.

A peace built on the prophecy in Isaiah that says “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means “God is with us.’ (7:14)
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
God is with us, is the heart of our Christmas, is the whole history, the history of a living Peace that dwells in us despite all circumstances that surround us, as we know, God is with us and we are not alone.
In wars? Not alone. In persecutions? Not alone. In sickness? Not alone. In struggles? Not alone. In death? Not alone. Immanuel Himself is with us as St Paul said: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the Peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:6-7)
This is our real Peace; this is our real celebration.
And as a token of Peace taken from the Prince of Peace, we pray today for our wounded Middle East, the bleeding countries of Iraq, Syria and every country suffering hatred and division. We pray specifically for the reunification of our beloved Cyprus who was the first destination of St Paul’s long journeys, proclaiming God’s Peace to the world, God’s Love and Reconciliation.

Happy Christmas. May His peace always dwell in us and shine through us. Amen
Merry Christmas

Nicosia, Christmas 2016

† Youssef Soueif
Maronite Archbishop of Cyprus

RTCYPP News 24.12.16

Dr Talip Atalay Mufti of Cyprus issues a Christmas message in Greek.

Μήνυμα Χριστουγέννων
Εμείς οι Μουσουλμάνοι στις 12 Δεκεμβρίου γιορτάσαμε την γέννηση του Προφήτη μας και ο κόσμος του Χριστιανισμού εορτάζει αυτές τις ημέρες την γέννηση του Ιησού Χριστού. Εύχομαι χρόνια πολλά σε όλους τους Χριστιανούς. Σ’ αυτή την περίοδο, παραμένοντας πιστοί στα μηνύματα του Προφήτη Μωάμεθ και του Ιησού Χριστού, θα πρέπει να συνεργαστούμε για να εξασφαλίσουμε την ειρήνη, την αλληλοκατανόηση και τον αλληλοσεβασμό. Αξίες που θα μας δώσουν την ευκαιρία να συμβιώσουμε ειρηνικά στην περιοχή μας και στον κόσμο, με σεβασμό στην πίστη του κάθε ανθρώπου. Ο κοινός μας στόχος είναι να σιγήσει το κλάμα όλων των ανθρώπων, κυρίως των παιδιών, των μητέρων και των ηλικιωμένων, ανεξάρτητα από την εθνική καταγωγή και την πίστη τους, αλλά και η υπεράσπιση των δικαιωμάτων και των υπόλοιπων ζωντανών αυτού του πλανήτη. Αυτές τις ημέρες θα πρέπει να θυμόμαστε ότι η προσευχή δεν είναι αρκετή για την επίτευξη αυτού του στόχου. Αυτές τις ημέρες έχουμε την ιστορική ευθύνη και υποχρέωση να μετατρέψουμε σε πράξη τις ευχές μας. Με την ευχή ότι θα σταθούμε στο ύψος των περιστάσεων…

Δρ. Ταλίπ Αταλάϊ 
Μουφτής της Κύπρου

RTCYPP News 9.12.16

The Office of RTCYPP, which facilitates the dialogue of the religious leaders of Cyprus, released the first ever joint appeal on the missing persons from the religious leaders of Cyprus at Ledra Palace Hotel, Nicosia. The event was hosted in support of the work of the Committee on Missing Persons (CMP). Watch the video in three languages.

RTCYPP News 16.11.16

RTCYPP facilitation team attends the 13th round table of the Trilateral Strategy Group TSG13, in Stockholm, focusing on Turkey after the coup attempt; Cyprus, the global disorder, migration crisis, Brexit, USA after the elections, Russia and the Middle East. The TSG is a multi year project undertaken by the German Marshall Fund of the USA in partnership with Turkish Industry and Business Association, Koc Holding and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sweden. The round table includes 40 experts from the private and public sectors to discuss critical issues affecting Turkey, the EU and the USA.

RTCYPP News 26.10.16

Office of RTCYPP warmly congratulates the Association of Historical Research &Dialogue( AHDR) for receiving the prestigious Max van Der Stoel Award at the official ceremony today for its” Sustained commitment to building multi-cultural, multi-faith society, promoting mutual respect and diversity, and including all of the communities of Cyprus.”

RTCYPP News 25.8.16

Executive Coordinator attends the first “Religion and Diplomacy” conference hosted by the U.S Department of State Office of Religion and Global Affairs (S/RGA )from 26-27 September 2016 in Washington DC, USA.

The two day event explored ways in which religion matters to foreign policy across a range of regional and functional priorities. The conference is bringing together 250 government officials, scholars, religious practitioners and community leaders and representatives from civil society. The S/RGA works to advise US State Secretary Kerry on the intersection of religion and key foreign policy issues, and support US diplomats in engaging religious actors and assessing religious dynamics around the world.

RTCYPP News 25.8.16

Office of RTCYPP expresses its sincere appreciation and gratitude to H.E. Archbishop Nareg of the Armenian Orthodox Church of Cyprus for his immense contribution to the Religious Track, excellent leadership, sincere collaboration and cooperation with all the religious leaders of Cyprus, in particular his genuine commitment to dialogue, human rights, peace and the reunification of Cyprus. Unfortunately , for personal reasons, Archbishop Nareg ends his tenure in Cyprus today, to return back to the headquarters of the Catholicosate of Cilicia. Office of RTCYPP is joined by the religious leaders of Cyprus in wishing His Eminence all the best and looking forward to continued friendship and cooperation in his new capacity.

RTCYPP News 15.7.16

In the wake of yet another barbaric act of terror against innocent people, this time in Nice, France, Office of RTCYPP expresses its deep grief and condemnation, reiterating its commitment to continue to work with the the religious leaders and faith communities of Cyprus for human rights and peace, united against all forms of violence and terror.

“We, the religious leaders of the five main faith communities of Cyprus, Greek Orthodox, Muslim, Armenian Orthodox, Maronite and Latin Catholic” categorically condemn all forms of violence against innocent civilians. No war, no act of terrorism, atrocities or violent attacks against innocent people can be justified in the name of God Almighty or any religion or humanity. War begets war. Violence begets violence. All people of good will must stand together to respect, support and care for one another. Violence in the name of God is violence against religion itself. As religious leaders we have a responsibility not only to speak out and work united against all forms of violence but also understand and address diligently the root causes that lead to such conflicts, violence and wars and to always promote and protect peace. Our sacred texts call us not only to combat injustice but also to uplift the poorest in our midst. Where inequality is entrenched, instability and conflict are far more likely to erupt. Inspired by our shared values we embrace the moral imperative to reach out to the most vulnerable among us, uphold human dignity and advocate for human rights.” November 2015

RTCYPP News 8.7.16

The 6 month report of the UN Secretary General is released to members of the UN Security Council.

On the RTCYPP and on the prohibition and restrictions to the right to worship announced by the Turkish Cypriot authorities in May 2016 , the UN Secretary General states the following:

“In May, the Turkish Cypriot authorities proposed policy changes that, if implemented, would lead to a reduction in approvals for religious services in the north of the island. In an effort to ensure continued access to religious sites, my Special Adviser and Special Representative intervened in support of access to all religious sites and a continued increase in the number of religious services being conducted by Greek Cypriots in the north. UNFICYP will continue to monitor this issue closely, and to advocate for freedom of worship for people of all faiths across the island”, the report said.

In his observations, while he commends the ongoing dialogue among the leaders of the religious communities, he urges both sides “[to support that dialogue by ensuring that the trend continues towards full access for worship to the more than 500 churches and other places of worship in the north, and the some 100 mosques in the south.”