News
On Monday 3 June the World Council of Churches (WCC) hosts a half-day seminar on the legacy of one of ecumenism’s leading figures, archbishop Nathan Söderblom, followed by a discussion on today’s ecumenical challenges.
The seminar will be held at the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva and feature a keynote speech by bishop Jonas Jonson, author of a Söderblom biography, followed by reflections from Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, general secretary of WCC and Rev. Dr Simone Sinn, professor of Ecumenical Theology at the Bossey Ecumenical Institute.
The seminar is open for all and sufficient time for a panel discussion and dialogue with the audience is set aside in the programme.
“Last year we celebrated our 70-year anniversary and we are pleased to follow up on that this year with a dedication to a true pioneer of ecumenism. We are keen to keep up the momentum and look forward to a vibrant seminar with plenty of discussion”, says Marianne Ejdersten, WCC director of Communication.
Soderblom's profound impact cannot be underrated and his lifelong commitment to the ecumenical movement did certainly inspire the founding of WCC in 1948.
The seminar is co-arranged by the WCC and the Church of Sweden, where Söderblom served as archbishop from 1914 to his death in 1931. His dedication to ecumenical work for peace earned him worldwide recognition and in 1930 he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
“He had a profound impact on the ecumenical movement and what we are doing today. The seminar is an opportunity to learn more about ecumenism and to inspire – students in particular – to engage”, Ejdersten concludes. The seminar will be livestreamed and open for everyone to ask questions to the panel.
