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Indigenous Global Ecumenical Gathering, Rotorua, New Zealand, July 2018, Photo: WCC

Indigenous Global Ecumenical Gathering, Rotorua, New Zealand, July 2018, Photo: WCC

Participants at the Indigenous Global Ecumenical Gathering observed the 70th anniversary of the WCC in Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand on 22 July. In a sermon for the occasion, Rev. Prince Devanandan, president and ecumenical officer of the Methodist Church of New Zealand, said WCC helps churches unify yet remain diverse.

“Being many is not something that we must do away with,” he said. “We need the rich diversity, with the richness of our diversity how can we be one.”

The Anglican Church of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia and the Anglican Missions Board in Rotorua hosted the World Council of Churches (WCC) for its 2018 Indigenous Global Ecumenical Gathering and youth pre-meeting. The gathering, which ran from 18 – 23 July in Ohinemutu, a Maori village and a suburb of Rotorua in New Zealand, drew 200 indigenous participants from around the globe.

Participants, who focused on the theme “Indigenous Spirituality and Reconciliation: Called to a Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace,” were from regional, national and local ecumenical indigenous networks, communities and churches.

Dr Katalina Tahaafe-Williams, WCC programme executive for Mission and Evangelism, said: “It is a time of prayerful listening and dialogue and sharing good practice examples of hope, as participants together embark on a Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace informed by indigenous spirituality, and aimed at reconciliation and healing.”

 

Indigenous Global Ecumenical Gathering meets in New Zealand

Aotearoa celebrates WCC's 70th