Name

Council of Catholic Patriarchs of the Orient (CCPO). 
 

Nature

The CCPO is a sign and an instrument of patriarchal collegiality, and of communion between the Catholic Churches of the Orient within the Universal Church.

 
Seat

The seat of the CCPO is the Maronite Patriarchate at Bkerke - Lebanon. Meetings may also be held in other places.
 

Goals

• To reflect on the situation of Catholics of the Orient to promote the Christian life.
• To Coordinate the pastoral activity of the Catholic Churches of the Orient.
• To give the Catholic Churches of the Orient the possibility to express their point of view and to study questions that concern their congregations and countries.
• Strengthen the future of Christianity in the Orient as a priority, in the conscience of the Churches of the Orient themselves in the care of the Universal Church, and close to the national and international requests.
• Consolidate the ties between the faithfuls of the Diaspora and their Churches in the Orient.
• Favor ecumenical and inter-religious dialogue.
• Secure an active involvement of the Catholic family in the works of the Council of Churches of the Middle East (CCME).
• Promote justice, peace, development, respect of human rights especially of the woman and the family in our countries and in the relations between people.

Power

The Council enjoys moral personality. It respects all rights and privileges of the Synods for Bishops of every Patriarchal Church as well as those of the assemblies of the hierarchy of every country.
 

Members of the CCPO

Catholic Patriarchs of the Orient in practice.
 

Assistants 

• A theologian or a secretary nominated by every Patriarch.
• The Secretary General.
• The assistant general Secretary.
• The responsible of information.

Guests

The Council can invite specialists or lecturers to participate at its sessions.
 

Deputy

1. In case of absence, the Patriarch can be represented by a bishop of his Church. 
2. The representative participates in the works of the Council and he has right of vote

Precedence

The order of precedence is the following:

• The Patriarch of Alexandria,
• The Patriarch of Antioch,
• The Patriarch of Babylon,
• The Patriarch of Cilicia,
• The Patriarch of Jerusalem

Presidency of sessions

Patriarchs preside meetings successively. The one that presides will be responsible of the preparation and the progress of the  session.

Definition
 
The General Secretariat of the CCPO is the immediate and permanent member of the Council.
 

Members

The General Secretariat is composed of:

• A Secretary General,
• Secretaries of Patriarchs,
• Assistant Secretaries,
• A representative of information.

Seat

The office of the General Secretariat of the CCPO is at the Maronite Patriarchate Bkerke - Lebanon.  

Secretary General

The Secretary General is designated by the Council for a period of four years renewable only once.
When the Secretary General is absent temporarily or if he is prevented from being present, he will be replaced by the Assistant Secretary General.
If the Secretary General is absent continuously, the Patriarchs will designate a General Secretary temporarily in his place until the next session.

Functions of the Secretary General

The functions of the Secretary General are:
1. To direct activities of the General Secretariat,
2. To execute decisions taken by the Council,
3. To preside and prepare the meetings of coordination and the meetings of Secretaries,
4. To prepare the agenda of sessions with the coordination of the Patriarch presiding the session,
5. To make a report of meetings,
6. To inform the Patriarchs continually on the different activities or meetings concerning the Council,
7. To assure contacts with Secretaries of the different Assemblies of hierarchies,
8. To assure the follow-up of the activities of Organisms and Commissions derived from the Council,
9. To be in permanent contact with the national and international organizations that are in contact with the Council,
10. To file and to preserve Acts of the Council, to supervise its printed matters.
 

Assistant secretary General

1. The Secretary General of the CCPO may have one or several Assistants.
2. The Assistant General Secretaries will be named by the Council, on the proposition of the Secretary General and for the same period of his mandate.
 

Treasurer

Nomination

The treasurer, being one of the Patriarchs Secretaries, is designated by the Council.

Functions

1. To present the Council with financial reports and the yearly budget and to answer to all demands of information of financial or banking order.
2. To collect the contributions and the grants.
3. To manage funds according to instructions of the Council and in agreement with the General Secretary.

Meetings
Definition and nature

There are three kinds of meetings:

1. Regular session.
2. Extraordinary session.
3. Meeting of secretaries.
 

The Regular Session

1. The Regular Session is held once a year. Its place and date will be fixed by the Council. 
2. The Patriarch who presides the session will be responsible of its preparation. He convenes the session; inaugurates and officially ends the meetings.
3. Participate by own right to the Regular Session:
    a) The Patriarchs. 
    b) The Secretary General. 
    c) The Secretaries of Patriarchs.
4. Participate in the Regular Session with the agreement of the Council:
    a) The assistant General Secretaries.
    b) Experts and lecturers.
    c) The representative of information.
5. Quorum:
    The requisite Quorum is the two thirds of Patriarch voices, members of the Council or of their representatives, being five of seven members.
 

The Extraordinary Sessions

The Council can hold Extraordinary Sessions according to necessity. They follow the rulings of the Regular Session.
 

Meetings of Secretaries

1. Meetings of Patriarchal secretaries will be held twice a year on the convening by the Secretary General, to prepare the Regular and Extraordinary
    sessions.
2. The assistant General Secretaries and the representative of information will be convened to these meetings.