News in brief Korean hostages in Afghanistan: Renewed call to prayer
The killing of a second Korean Christian hostage in Afghanistan has led the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea (PROK) to make an urgent call for prayer among the "entire ecumenical community around the world [...] that the killings of innocent people may stop and that these hostages may safely return to their families."
5. July 07
Apply now: Stewards Programme 2008
Young Christians aged 18 to 30 now have the chance to apply for being one of 25 youth from all over the world in the next WCC stewards programme from 6-22 February 2008. They will participate in the 13-20 February WCC central committee meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, contributing their work in the areas of worship, conference room, documentation, press office, sound, and other administrative and support tasks.
Its time to agree changes in governance of international financial institutions, says WCC
"The nature of the current leadership change at the World Bank is a timely reminder of the need for reform in how international financial institutions are governed," World Council of Churches (WCC) acting general secretary Dr William Temu said today, in reaction to news of the resignation of World Bank president Paul Wolfowitz.
16. May 07
Bishop Pierre Duprey
Writing to Walter Cardinal Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity (PCPU) on 14 May, World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia expresses "deep sadness" at the passing away of Bishop Pierre Duprey. Kasper succeeded Duprey as PCPU secretary when the latter retired in 1999 at the age of 75.
10. May 07
German ecumenist explores religious factor in US politics
As struggles over the global war on terrorism continue to rage, many in the United States and around the world do not understand the course of events that led from September 11, 2001, to the current expanded conflict.
Dr Mrs Renuka Mukerji Somasekhar
Writing to the general secretary of the Church of South India (CSI), World Council of Churches head Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia has mourned the passing away of former CSI general secretary Dr Mrs Renuka Mukerji Somasekhar.
3. May 07
Carl Friedrich von Weizsäcker
"An untiring, credible and enlightened voice for peace" is how World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia refers to German physicist Prof. Dr Carl Friedrich von Weizsäcker in a tribute released today.
30. April 07
WCC online bookshop: English translation of Abbé Pierre's last book
In "Mon Dieu, pourquoi?", France's leading champion of the destitute and homeless reflects on his life, faith, and vocation, on Christian faith and the meaning of human life, on pressing contemporary religious and social issues, and on such intimate and burning topics as sexuality and the marriage of priests, the place of women in the church, parenting by same sex partners, and the election of a new pope.
25. April 07
WCC Annual Review 2006
Now available in electronic and printed format, the WCC Annual Review 2006 is an illustrated account of WCC programmes and activities over the year. The Annual Review also contains key information on WCC member churches, governing bodies, finances, publications and other resources.
24. April 07
Kobia congratulates "heir of the Holy See of St Thomas in India" on his 90th birthday
In a congratulatory message to Metropolitan Dr Philipose Mar Chrysostom, who celebrates his 90th birthday on 27 April, World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia evokes the outstanding ecumenical profile, and lifts up some of the exceptional qualities of the spiritual leader of the Mar Thoma Syrian Church of Malabar.