Resultados de la búsqueda

La crisis humanitaria en Gaza y el flagelo de las municiones de racimo fueron objeto de declaraciones del Comité Central del Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI), que también exhortó a "un cambio profundo en la relación con la naturaleza, las políticas económicas, y los patrones de consumo, de producción y tecnológicos" para enfrentar el cambio climático.

The World Council of Churches (WCC) central committee closed its 13-20 February meeting after having chosen the venue for the 2011 International Ecumenical Peace Convocation, achieved progress towards a broader WCC Assembly, welcomed new member churches, appointed a search committee for a new general secretary and celebrated the Council's 60th anniversary. The WCC main governing body also put its stamp on a number of public statements, policy concerns and programme plans.

Nazeli Kandakarjian, a member of the Armenian Apostolic Church (Holy See of Cilicia) in Lebanon, is serving as a young adult steward at these central committee meetings. She arrived five days late for the training programme due to a series of visa difficulties, ultimately receiving her visa just a few hours before her rescheduled flight on 11 Feb. "It was like in the movies", she said of the last-minute rush. When she finally arrived in Geneva, though--her first trip outside the Middle East--she was warmly welcomed by the other stewards. They were eager to learn about her, and she enjoyed hearing their stories, as well. She said the group bonded quickly and has worked well together. "It's like being in the center of the globe", said Kandakarjian, who was born in Kuwait. "I have people from all over the world telling me their experiences. It couldn't be any better than this. I'm so happy to be here". A friend who attended the WCC Assembly in Porto Alegre in 2006 encouraged her to apply for the stewards programme. She did, because she liked the idea of actually working at the meetings and not just being an observer. Now Kandakarjian is carrying that same message to others. "I would like to encourage everyone to be in this kind of experience", she said, expressing an appreciation for the ecumenical work she was able to witness. "It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It's great". All of the stewards were recognised at the conclusion of the meetings Wednesday with a round of applause and the moderator's thanks, and each received the gift of a WCC watch.

Presided by an African woman, with a membership that includes three youth, eight women, four Orthodox and a strong representation from the South, the search committee for a new World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary has already begun to work.

By Manuel Quintero (*)

The World Council of Churches central committee issued a reminder on the pressing issue of climate change this week, urging member churches and others to "Be stewards of God's creation".

Election issues fresh from the headlines formed the focus for three public statements adopted by the World Council of Churches central committee on Tuesday 19 February in Geneva: one each on Kenya and Pakistan, and one on the larger picture of democratic electoral processes.

Una destacada ecumenista británica, la Dra. Mary Tanner, recibió la orden de Dama Comandante del Imperio Británico por su trabajo en el Consejo Mundial de Iglesias y la Comunión Anglicana.  En una solemne ceremonia, celebrada en el Palacio de Buckingham este miércoles 13 de febrero, la Dra. Tanner fue investida de la condecoración por la Reina Isabel II.  Diez años atrás había recibido la Orden del Imperio Británico de manos del Príncipe Carlos.  La Dra. Tanner tiene en su haber una fecunda trayectoria ecuménica.  Entre 1991 fue secretaria general del Consejo para la Unidad Cristiana en el Reino Unido y en 1993 fue moderadora de la Quinta Conferencia Mundial sobre Fe y Orden en Santiago de Compostela.  En la última asamblea del Consejo Mundial en Porto Alegre fue elegida una de las ocho presidentes/presidentas del CMI, en representación de las iglesias de Europa.

Los recursos para mitigar los efectos del cambio climático pueden llegar demasiado tarde, dice el obispo metodista Carlos Poma sobre la discusión acerca de la deuda ecológica en el Comité Central --que concluye hoy sus deliberaciones.  Los efectos de los cambios climáticos se manifiestan con inundaciones y sequías en Bolivia, un país que contribuye al calentamiento global con apenas el 0.003% de las emisiones mundiales de dióxido de carbono (CO2), versus el 30.3% de Estados Unidos o el 3.8% que corresponde a América Latina.  "Algunas especies de aves y reptiles han desaparecido o están amenazadas de extinción.  El derretimiento de los glaciares se ha acentuado en los últimos años y eso amenaza con la sequía a las provincias del Altiplano.  Pero a la vez estamos sufriendo grandes inundaciones.  El gobierno declaró este martes el estado de desastre natural.  Cerca de sesenta personas murieron y 60.000 familias han sido afectadas por las inundaciones en nueve provincias", señala Poma.  El líder metodista boliviano cree que es importante llevar la discusión sobre la deuda ecológica al seno de las iglesias y comunidades indígenas que ya están siendo directamente afectadas por los cambios climáticos.

Presidido por una mujer africana y con una composición que incluye tres jóvenes, ocho mujeres, cuatro ortodoxos y una importante representación del Sur, el comité de búsqueda de un nuevo secretario general del Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI) ha comenzado ya a trabajar.

The WCC's Pacific Region is taking its opportunity to shine at these central committee meetings. To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the WCC, the member churches of the Pacific presented a wood and shell plaque to the organisation and shell medallions to the moderator and other officers. "When we received the program for the 60th anniversary, we discussed it, and (the churches) asked me to present something from the Pacific", said Mr John Taroanui Doom, WCC president from the Pacific. "I like to show things from the Pacific"! The gifts are locally made, with special wood from the Marquesas Islands and glistening mother of pearl shell from Tuvalu. They were made at a factory that has provided work for local young people. The plaque and medallions note the anniversary and the years 1948-2008, with the WCC "Oikoumene" logo in gold and the motto "We intend to stay together" in English and French. Doom also presented the medallions to WCC staff and representatives at the Global Christian Forum held in Kenya this past November.

By Walt Wiltschek (*)

Dr Mary Tanner, WCC president from Europe, was late for these central committee meetings. She had a good reason, though: an audience with Britain's Queen Elizabeth II. Tanner received the title of "Dame" from the queen this past Wednesday, 13 February, in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace in London. The queen shook her hand at the investiture and pinned a star and a medal on her. Tanner, a member of the Church of England, received the honour as a double citation for her work with the World Council of Churches and with the Anglican Communion. "It's not for me personally that it is such an important thing, but that the work for the WCC and the Anglican Communion is thought worth recognizing", Tanner said. "I'm aware that so many people taught me and worked with me around the ecumenical tables, from whom I've learned so much". It was Tanner's second major honour from the Crown. Ten years ago she received an Order of the British Empire, which was presented by Prince Charles. WCC moderator Rev. Dr Walter Altmann offered his congratulations for her latest honour during a plenary session, and Tanner was applauded by the central committee.

Each working day of the WCC central committee meetings begins with a time of common prayer. These daily prayers are a blend of scriptures, readings, songs, and music of the various traditions represented by the 349 WCC church members. The committee responsible for planning these times of prayer chose to use one of the past WCC Assemblies (nine to date) as the focus each day. Tuesday morning, the Canberra Assembly of 1991 with the theme "Come, Holy Spirit—Renew the Whole Creation" inspired the prayer service.

By Walt Wiltschek (*)

Aunque la democracia ha posibilitado mayor libertad y participación ciudadana, en algunos casos ha sido abusada al punto de tener nefastos efectos, señala una declaración adoptada hoy por el Comité Central del Consejo Mundial de Iglesias, reunido en Ginebra hasta el 20 de febrero.

After 25 years standing vigil at the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey, a totem pole was returned to the soils of the earth Sunday at an event attended by many of those taking part in this week's central committee meetings. The totem was presented as a gift of the churches of Canada at the WCC's Sixth Assembly, held in Vancouver, as a way to raise the profile of indigenous people.  The totem consisted of carved images offering an interpretation of the story of humanity's search for the spiritual experience. But time and weather took its toll on the nearly 50 foot-tall totem since its placement at Bossey, and it had become unstable. Following advice from the First Nations of Canada, the WCC decided to respectfully remember the gift and the work of those who carved it. Rev. Carmen Lansdowne, a Central Committee member from the United Church of Canada and member of the indigenous people of western Canada, was asked to lead the commemoration. A small, permanent display will continue to tell the totem's story.

The four newest titles in the WCC's "Risk Series" of books were introduced at a session with the authors Monday afternoon. Two of the four are by Zimbabwean author Ezra Chitando, looking at the HIV/AIDS issue in the African context. Chitando used body imagery to describe the call of the church to bring about transformation. Churches, he said, need to have sharp minds, ears to listen to the cries of the marginalized, warm hearts, healing hands, long arms, and quick feet. "Churches can only be relevant if they are bearers of hope, ambassadors of hope", he said. He emphasized that HIV/AIDS is a global problem, not just an African one. "We need to mobilise the entire global community", Chitando said. His books are titled "Living with Hope" and "Acting with Hope". The other two new books in the series are "Resisting the Intolerable", by Geneviève Jacques, which addresses the importance of human rights, and "With Hearts, Hands and Voices" by Margot Käßmann, examining "spirituality for everyday life".

Gathered in a church dating from the 12th century, the World Council of Churches seemed like a relative youngster as it celebrated its 60th anniversary Sunday 17 February.