Unity and fellowship on the agenda as WCC leadership convenes

The leadership of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Central Committee met in Geneva on 19 March to prepare for the Executive Committee meeting and the Central Committee meeting and the visit of Pope Francis in June.

The WCC continues to focus on its pilgrimage of justice and peace, preparations for the 11^th Assembly in 2021, and the WCC’s 70th anniversary. During 2018, the WCC fellowship will not only celebrate significant milestones in the history of the WCC but also continue to address modern injustices and the ongoing struggle for a just peace.

The WCC leadership prepared for the visit of Pope Francis. WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit said, “The news of the pope’s visit to the WCC and to Geneva is a sign of hope for all who long for unity, peace and justice in a broken and divided world. It is a sign of how Christian churches can affirm our common calling and mission to serve God together. And it is an affirmation of our shared focus on the need of our fellow human beings, and to do together what we can do together for reconciliation and unity among the churches and in the world.”

Metropolitan Prof. Dr Gennadios of Sassima, vice moderator of the WCC Central Committee, said: “That the pope’s visit occurs on the occasion of the 70^th anniversary of the WCC is a recognition of those who have prayed and worked together for many years for the unity of the church. It is a significant sign of how far we have come in those years, through the work of the WCC and in cooperation with the Roman Catholic Church, and now under the leadership of Pope Francis.”

Dr Agnes Abuom, moderator of the WCC Central Committee, said she also sees the visit as “a great encouragement for those who are ready to continue this journey of faith, as pilgrims seeking unity, justice and peace—using our faith and our religious life as a way to build bridges and give hope for a better future together.”

WCC organizational structure

WCC Central Committee meeting, 15-21 June 2018

Pope Francis to visit the World Council of Churches this summer (WCC press release of 2 March 2018)