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In an online prayer service on 1 April, the World Council of Churches (WCC) bid an official farewell to its outgoing general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, who will take a new role as presiding bishop of the Church of Norway.
In a goodbye message, Tveit emphasized the concept of Jesus as a shepherd who cares for all of us. “We are called to carry the image of God to one another. That means also that we are called to care for one another in the name of the Good Shepherd.
"It is sometimes challenging to believe this, like in the times of the pandemic that humanity is facing today,” Tveit said. “In times like these everything is challenged.”
Our space is shrinking, in many ways, Tveit reflected. "We start to understand what kinds of threats many are facing as individuals, as communities, as one humanity,” he said. "This is our time to hold up the image of the God who sees us.”
Seeing one another as human beings
Tveit questioned how we can hold up this image of God to others and to one another. “How to believe that God cares for all?” he asked. “I think it is as simple as it is difficult: It is by just doing it.”
The WCC can hold up this image in its programs, support functions and leadership roles, Tveit added. “There is a constant need for an ecumenical movement that is a movement of love and care,” he said. "One of my objectives was that we could recognize and acknowledge the significance of what the others contribute.”
First of all, it is about seeing one another as human beings, he said. "Then about seeing one another as followers of Christ, and to receive the contributions of the other churches, and partners, in this fellowship of gift-sharing,” he said. “Within the WCC as an organization, it is about the other streams and departments, what each one of us contributes to the whole.”
“We are called to carry the image of God to one another”, said WCC outgoing general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, taking a new role as presiding bishop of the Church of Norway on 1 April 2020. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC
We are as human beings created in the image of God, Tveit concluded. “This gives all of us our value and dignity," he said. "This is – I believe – what the ecumenical movement should be. This is why it is time for the WCC to say: ‘Christ’s love moves the world to reconciliation and unity.’ Not because we are perfect and successful in everything, but because we do this together, in the name of the Good Shepherd.”
Dr Agnes Abuom, WCC moderator, led prayers of gratitude for Tveit’s service, as well as good wishes for his new leadership role in Norway.
“This is a moment for us to express our gratitude to Rev. Tveit for his faithfulness, commitment and service to the ecumenical movement, and in particular to the WCC,” Abuom said in welcoming remarks.
She also prayed for all those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. “We gather to pray over the current global health crisis, COVID-19, that is impacting churches and communities in an unprecedented way. We would have loved to have met physically but due to this it has not been possible.”
Among many of Tveit’s contributions, Abuom commended his leadership with regard to renewed engagement with the national councils and the regional ecumenical organizations, particularly those in areas where conflicts seemed to persist and which had created major challenges to the life of the church. “I can mention a a few particularly from Africa: South Sudan, Sudan, Burundi. In Asia, we can also mention your commitment to the peace on the Korean Peninsula. And so this for me is something that we cherish and we hope to move forward.”
Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca, who was appointed WCC acting general secretary beginning 1 April, expressed his sadness at saying goodbye yet his joy that the Church of Norway would receive Tveit’s leadership. Sauca commended Tveit’s visioning of the Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace and strengthening the Bossey Ecumenical Institute, among other accomplishments.
“Your passion for and commitment to bringing solutions to and reconciliation in situations of conflicts and war has been outstanding and the profile of the WCC in international affairs has become visible and highly respected and appreciated during your time of service,” said Sauca, who was formerly deputy general secretary for the WCC programme on Ecumenical Formation and Bossey Ecumenical Institute. “I will do my best to serve as I did during all my years of service, but with much humility and determination.”
To be successful, it is necessary to stay always in solidarity, Sauca added. “I pray that God enlightens your path as you leave the WCC, gives you strength, power of service and witness so that you continue to walk together with us as a pilgrim for justice and peace.”
Sermon by Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit
Remarks of WCC moderator Dr Agnes Abuom
Message by Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca
Video of WCC farewell prayer for Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, 1 April 2020
WCC webpage "Coping with the Coronavirus"
