WCC general secretary makes first visit to churches in Asia and the Pacific

On his first trip to the Asia and Pacific regions since taking office, WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia will visit member churches and ecumenical organizations in Hong Kong, Australia and Fiji from 5 to 15 July. Kobia will also spend time with refugees, asylum-seekers and indigenous communities in Australia, and focus on HIV/AIDS in the Pacific.

Hong Kong, 5-7 July

On his arrival in Hong Kong, Kobia will meet church and ecumenical leaders at a reception organized by the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA).

In the context of year-long celebrations of the Hong Kong Christian Council’s (HKCC) fiftieth anniversary, he will address youth leaders on “The ecumenical movement and youth”, and meet with HKCC staff and leadership; a separate meeting with CCA leaders is also scheduled.

Kobia will be addressing the participants of a WCC-organized international inter-religious consultation, and may meet with Hong Kong Special Administrative Region chief executive Tung Chee-hwa.

Australia, 8-11 July

Kobia will visit the Immigration Reception and Processing Centre in Baxter, and stay with an Aboriginal community in Port Augusta before attending the 2004 triennial national forum of the National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA).

At the forum, taking place in Adelaide, Kobia will speak on “The global church - challenges and celebrations”. During his stay, he will preach at the Anglican Cathedral and meet with the leaders of WCC member churches in Australia.

Fiji, 12-15 July

In Fiji, Kobia will pay attention to the impact of HIV/AIDS in the region in a presentation to a Pacific church leaders' consultation on “Ecumenism in the twenty-first century and challenges for the Pacific churches”.

Leaders from all eighteen WCC member churches in the Pacific as well as Pacific Conference of Churches member churches and the national councils of churches of the Pacific region will be present for this event.

Following the conference, Kobia will give a public lecture on the WCC ninth assembly theme, "God, in your grace, transform the world" at the Pacific Theological College. He will also meet with church officials, regional ecumenical organizations and people living with HIV/AIDS in the region. A courtesy call with President Ratu Josefa Iloilo is also scheduled.

Kobia will be accompanied in Hong Kong and Australia by WCC Asia secretary Mathews George Chunakara, and in Fiji by Diakonia and Solidarity team coordinator Elizabeth Ferris and Pacific secretary Fe’iloakitau Kaho Tevi.

Press appointments and contacts

Hong Kong

Contact: Judy Chan, +852 2368 7123, [email protected]

Australia

Press Conference in Adelaide

Saturday, 10.07.2004, 14.00-15.00

Contact: Nick Kerr, +61 41 343 1244, [email protected]

Fiji

Contact: Fe’iloakitau Kaho Tevi, +679 331 7509, +679 992 5935 (Mobile),

[email protected]

Host organizations

Hong Kong Christian Council