News
The general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC), Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, has congratulated Abune Mathias, on his enthronement as the 6th patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, a founding member of the WCC from sub-Saharan Africa.
Tveit assured Abune Mathias of his “heartfelt prayers” at the start of the patriarch's ministry.
Abune Mathias was enthroned as patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church on 3 March in Addis Ababa.
In his message to Abune Mathias, Tveit said that the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church is a prominent member in the global ecumenical movement. He remembered the previous patriach, who served as WCC president, saying that succeeding the late Abune Paulos I was “an awesome responsibility”.
“I perceive in you someone profoundly committed to being a leader of the church for the present and the future,” Tveit said to Abune Mathias.
“We are grateful that your ecumenical vision, deeply grounded in the Orthodox theology and spirituality, can inspire, encourage and strengthen all people of good will in Ethiopia and throughout the world for a peaceful and harmonious coexistence,” Tveit added.
In a meeting with WCC staff members, Abune Mathias assured his support to the WCC and the All Africa Conference of Churches. To accompany the ecumenical movement, Abune Mathias said, was one of his duties.
Read the WCC general secretary’s letter to Patriarch Abune Mathias