As an early and eager pioneer in the ecumenical movement, Archbishop of Uppsala and the Primate of Sweden, Dr Nathan Söderblom (1866 -1931) earned worldwide recognition. His dedication to ecumenical work for peace earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 1930.

By many, Söderblom is regarded as the founder of modern ecumenism. The horrors of World War I convinced him to act and in 1925 he gathered a large ecumenical meeting in Stockholm.

Soderblom's profound impact cannot be underrated and his life-long commitment to the ecumenical movement did certainly inspire the founding of WCC in 1948.

On 3 June, the WCC invites all interested to a half-day seminar at the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva.

Soderblom's countryman Bishop Jonas Jonson, who has written a biography about him, will deliver a keynote speech, followed by a panel discussion with World Council of Churches General Secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit and Rev. Dr Simone Sinn, professor of Ecumenical Theology at the Ecumenical Institute and programme executive for Faith and Order, among others.

When: 3 June, 1:30 pm – 5:00 pm
Where: Ecumenical Centre, Geneva

For further information, please contact: [email protected]

Programme

1.30 pm: Introduction by WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit

Keynote speech by Rev. Dr Bishop Jonas Jonson, author of Nathan Söderblom biography.

Response by Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit

2.50 pm: Tea/Coffee break

3.10 pm: Reflections on today’s ecumenism by Rev. Dr Simone Sinn, professor of Ecumenical Theology at the Ecumenical Institute and programme executive for Faith and Order.

3.30 pm: Panel discussion on ecumenism and the legacy of Nathan Söderblom.
Participants:
Rev. Dr Simone Sinn.
WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit.
Rev. Dr bishop Jonas Jonson.
Moderator: WCC communication consultant Claus Grue.

4:00 pm: Audience invited to reflect and ask questions.

4.45 pm: Music in the spirit of Nathan Söderblom.

5:00 pm: End of programme.

The seminar will be held in English.

The event will be live streamed at www.oikoumene.org/live

Co-organized by the WCC and the Church of Sweden