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The role of the World Council of Churches (WCC) within the ecumenical movement and of the Russian Orthodox Church within the fellowship of WCC member churches were among the subjects discussed by WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit and Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, who met in Moscow on 28 June. "The Russian Orthodox Church can play an inspiring role in the fellowship of WCC member churches", said Tveit after what was his first meeting with the Patriarch since becoming WCC general secretary. Tveit highlighted Kirill's leadership for the development of the church's mission, especially amongst youth. |
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"Bringing the younger generations to the faith is a common concern for all of our member churches", Tveit said. "We have learnt about some of the initiatives taken in this regard under Kirill's leadership and I think all WCC member churches could benefit from them."
The meeting between the WCC general secretary and the Russian Patriarch took place in a warm and open atmosphere, Tveit said, which allowed for a frank discussion. "His Holiness has expressed a deep commitment to, and strong interest on the WCC which I really appreciated", Tveit said. "He also shared how much the WCC has meant for him personally", he added.
In that context, Kirill expressed a serious concern about some difficulties faced by ecumenical dialogue in view of what he labeled as new positions of some Protestant churches on important moral issues, including the understanding of homosexuality.
"His Holiness challenged the council to articulate how it can contribute to build bridges in this situation", Tveit said.
The meeting with the patriarch was part of a 27-29 June visit to the Russian Orthodox Church. The church joined the WCC in 1961 and became its largest member. Five of its representatives currently sit on the council's 150-member Central Committee.
The programme of the visit continues tomorrow with a meeting with the Very Rev. Arkady Shatov, chairman of the Department for Church Charity and Social Services, a visit to the St Dimitry School of Sisters of Charity, and encounters with Russian government officials.
Tveit is accompanied by the WCC deputy general secretary Georges Lemopoulos, as well as WCC staff members Rev. Dr Dagmar Heller (Ecumenical Institute Bossey/Faith and Order) and Fr Dr Daniel Buda (Church and Ecumenical Relations).
Following the visit, the Russian Orthodox Church will host the annual meeting of the Permanent Committee on Consensus and Collaboration, which has the responsibility for continuing the dynamic of the Special Commission on Orthodox Participation in the WCC.