News
The general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC), Rev. Dr Konrad Raiser, has today written to the Most Rev. Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Wales, congratulating him on his appointment as the 104th Archbishop of Canterbury.
Dr Raiser has acknowledged the considerable gifts of theological insight, ecumenical commitment and pastoral sensitivity which Dr Williams will bring to his new office. Raiser also referred warmly to the book , "Writing in the Dust", which Dr Williams wrote following the September 11 tragedy in the USA. Raiser called it a "voice of sanity, clarity and Christian witness in the midst of confusion and dehumanizing tendencies".
The full text of the letter follows:
On behalf of the Officers, Member Churches and staff of the World Council of Churches, I write to congratulate you on your call to become the 104th Archbishop of Canterbury.
This call to be both the Primate of the Church of England and the focus of unity of the Anglican Communion is an onerous one - as the recent Hurd report indicated only too clearly! However, you bring the considerable gifts of theological insight, ecumenical commitment and pastoral sensitivity firmly rooted in a life of prayer, to the Office. This is a critical time for the Church, the society and the world as human and humane values seem to be increasingly distorted, and the challenges of tolerance and inclusion are actively resisted. Your recent reflections on the events of the 11th September and its aftermath have been a voice of sanity, clarity and Christian witness in the midst of confusion and
dehumanizing tendencies. In your poetry, you have continually called society back to community values and the respect of the individual and the whole of creation. Please be assured of the prayers of the other Churches as you seek to fulfil your responsibilities.
Throughout the twentieth century, leaders in the Church of England and in the wider Anglican Communion have played a key role in the life and development of the World Council of Churches, and I know from your own commitment you would seek to continue that direction. We therefore look forward to working with you in the fellowship of Churches which is the World Council of Churches and learning from you as we continue to seek to be faithful to our ecumenical vocation.