Speech Will Focus on the Future of Christianity in the Middle East
LOS ANGELES–Joining a long list of Presidents–Prime Ministers and global leaders–His Holiness Aram I–Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia–will speak before the Los Angeles World Affairs Council on October 14–2005. The Pontiff’s remarks will focus on Christianity in the Middle East and the current challenges facing inter-religious dialogue in the region. The speech will be timely–given the historic events in Iraq and the current turmoil with respect to the United States’ foreign policy in the Middle East.
"The dramatic events unfolding in Iraq and around the Middle East place a new imperative before Christian communities in the region and globally," remarked His Eminence Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian of the Western Prelacy. "For thousands of years Armenian communities and the Armenian church have been an important part of the fabric and history of the region providing a unique perspective." The Prelacy is sponsoring the Pontifical visit of His Holiness Aram I during which many of these critical issues will be discussed.
The World Affairs Council luncheon speech–which is open to the public–will be held at the historic Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles and will attract political–civic and religious leaders from across the State of California and Los Angeles. "We are honored and fortunate to have the opportunity to hear His Holiness Aram I share his views and knowledge about the many critical issues confronting the Middle East," said J. Curtis Mack–II–President of the World Affairs Council. "There is a dire need to have greater dialogue during these historical times and we are pleased to provide the forum to further greater understanding of the region and the role the Armenian communities play."
The council’s mission is to promote greater understanding of current global issues and their impact on the people of Southern California by inviting authoritative–influential figures in world affairs to Los Angeles and providing a forum for constructive discussion. US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld recently spoke at a luncheon sponsored by the Council–and the President of the Polish Republic–His Excellency Aleksander Kwasniewski–is slated to address the Council later this month.
For more information or to RSVP for this historic event please call (213) 628-2333. Table for this event are available for $400 (individual tickets $40) and will not be made on the day of the event.