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Leite served as an executive staff member of the Conference of European Churches, as president of COPIC, and as a representative of the World Council of Churches (WCC) in the UN Commission on Human Rights.
“It became clear early on in his life that he wanted to work for ecumenism,” said Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca,WCC acting general secretary. “His studies, which brought him to Montpellier and to the WCC Ecumenical Institute in Bossey, certainly laid a weighty foundation.”
He was later conscientiously responsible for the rectory and the disciplines of Ecumenism and Patristics of the Evangelical Seminary of Theology in Lisbon. As Mayor of Figueira da Foz, his gifts further enriched the community.
“As a church and spiritual leader, Rev. Leite offered inspiration for our common life together as Christians,” said Sauca. “The call to unity, ‘that all may be one,’ is strengthened by those who can build relationships and fellowship between different cultures, theological and liturgical traditions, and people of other faiths or those of none.”
Sauca extended prayers in thanksgiving for Rev. Leite´s exemplary service, and for comfort for all those who mourn his departure, especially for his family.
“Offering you every blessing in this season of upcoming Advent, the season of hope in the coming of Christ,” said Sauca.
