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WCC Programme Executive for Ecumenical Relations Dr Vasile Octavian Mihoc, WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, general of the Salvation Army Brian Peddle and the Commissioner of the Salvation Army Elizabeth Matear. Photos: Salvation Army

WCC Programme Executive for Ecumenical Relations Dr Vasile Octavian Mihoc, WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, general of the Salvation Army Brian Peddle and the Commissioner of the Salvation Army Elizabeth Matear. Photos: Salvation Army

The general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC), Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, met with the general of The Salvation Army, Brian Peddle, at The Salvation Army International Headquarters in London. The two leaders focused on the relationship between The Salvation Army and the WCC, and on the upcoming 11th WCC Assembly to be held in 2021 in Karlsruhe, Germany.

Tveit and Peddle discussed strengthening collaboration between the two global organizations.

Tveit affirmed the importance of the participation of representatives of The Salvation Army in the assembly. “We don’t lose sight of what is your special call, namely working with the marginalized and acting immediately in crisis situations such as natural catastrophes at one hand and proclaiming the Gospel at the other hand,” Tveit said, also reiterating the importance of diaconal work.

The Salvation Army was founded in London, England, in 1865 by William and Catherine Booth and was one of the founding members of the WCC. Though The Salvation Army withdrew from the WCC in 1981, it continued to send advisers to the WCC Central Committee as well as representatives to the pre-assemblies and to the assemblies.

The Commissioner of the Salvation Army, Elizabeth Matear, and the Programme Executive for Ecumenical Relations of the WCC, Dr Vasile Octavian Mihoc, were also present at the meeting.

The Salvation Army