News
A message to the churches from the World Council of Churches (WCC) Faith and Order plenary commission meeting in Kuala Lumpur 26 July to 6 August refers to "a moment of hope" in its discussions.
"There are still many questions we need to explore together, but we became aware of reaching a moment of hope, having identified a framework which might enable churches to move forward in terms of mutual recognition," the message stated in regard to the commission's study on ecclesiology.
The ecclesiology study, entitled "The Nature and Mission of the Church," is one of five Faith and Order study processes considered by the meeting, beginning with the one on baptism, "a primary basis of ecumenism".
The theme of the meeting, "Receive one another, as Christ received you, for the glory of God" invites us, the message said, "to reflect on our common obligation to welcome one another, to look beyond our divisions and to work together for the visible unity of the church".
It continued: "The divisions within and among our churches reflect not only theological and ecclesiological differences, but also strife within the human community."
Three other studies reviewed by the plenary commission considered the role of the churches in situations of ethnic and national conflict, the Christian understanding of the human person in the image of God, and ecumenical hermeneutics. "Our theme of 'receiving one another' resonates with all of these important themes," said the message.
Other important themes were also considered, including the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, United and Uniting Churches and theological reflections on peace.
The message said: "The texts produced by Faith and Order carry a particular credibility and weight. As commission members, we call on our churches to continue to support the work of Faith and Order, and to assist us in circulating and responding to studies and projects."
It concluded with an affirmation of the continued calling to seek together visible Christian unity.
The message also included expressions of gratitude to the Council of Churches of Malaysia which hosted the meetings, and an appreciation of the country and its capital.
A special tribute was paid to Malaysia's prime minister, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who said in his address to the meeting: "We cannot stand before a compassionate God while there is so much we have left undone because we are disunited."
Full text of the message is available at:
www.wcc-coe.org/wcc/what/faith/kuala-docs20-fo-message-final.pdf