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Members of central committee were able to visit the WCC's Ecumenical Institute at Bossey, just outside Geneva, on Sunday 3 September, and to learn more about the work of this unique establishment.

Retiring German church leader Bishop Rolf Koppe was honoured by central committee today as he completes a career of ecumenical service which began in 1969. "Your qualities are sound judgement, theological insight and human warmth. In addition, your sense of commitment is to an ecumenical vision far beyond European Protestantism, one which aims at the all-encompassing unity of the church," said WCC moderator Rev. Dr Walter Altmann in a tribute. Bishop Koppe led German Protestant international efforts in recent years in his position as head of EKD's ecumenical relations and ministries broad, and as a member of WCC's top governing bodies. The EKD is the WCC's largest member church in Germany. Koppe played a crucial role in appeasing Orthodox concerns in recent years when he co-presided the Special Commision on Orthodox Participation in the WCC. Speaking on behalf of the Commission's members, Metropolitan Bishoy of Damiette (Coptic Orthodox Church) thanked the bishop and presented him with a Coptic icon. Responding to the tribute, Koppe reminded those present that his ecumenical motto had always been "pray together and stay together," to which he wanted to add the words "pay together!" urging all member churches to carry the financial burden of the Council.

By Stephen Webb (*)

By Alexander Belopopsky (*)

The continued financial stabilization of the Council was confirmed today as central committee approved its regular financial report and adopted a new budget for the WCC's reorganized programmatic activity.

Take a look at a 5-minute video about last February's 9 th Assembly in Brazil, now featured on the WCC website - it's ready for downloading !

Public statements on situations or concerns with which the WCC or member churches are confronted are one way in which the Council responds to critical issues on the international agenda.

After having spent Saturday and Sunday deliberating in smaller groups, central committee delegates will be required, as of Monday, to take a number of strategic decisions affecting the work of the WCC over the next seven years.

In a volatile global context, the massive migration of people around the world has a deep impact on societies and churches, and poses fundamental questions for ecumenical relationships and responsibility, the general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC) stated in his report to the organization's main governing body.

The resolution of the Middle East crisis will be achieved through addressing the root causes of injustice, not through violence or by attacking children.

The global fund for tackling HIV and AIDS should be distributed through churches because they have the best access to the populations affected.

World Council of Churches' (WCC) general secretary the Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia has called for a comprehensive ecumenical response in seeking lasting peace in the Middle East.

The gathering of the new WCC central committee, the 55th session since the Council was established in 1948, represents a diverse and colourful cross-section of the Christian world. Young pastors and lay people sit alongside venerable archbishops and monks, all appointed to represent their churches and serve for the coming seven years on the WCC's main governing body.

A plea to "bring new life into the ecumenical movement" was issued by Rev. Dr Walter Altmann in his first report as World Council of Churches (WCC) central committee moderator. He also emphasized the Council's role as "the privileged instrument of the ecumenical movement" and rejected the possibility of "a minimalist agenda".

"Raise your chairs," was the Rev. Dr Walter Altmann's solution to the absence of indicator cards during opening actions of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Central Committee meeting in Geneva on August 30.

"Praying for peace is an essential part of Christian worship and, indeed, of human existence," says World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia about the International Day of Prayer for Peace, to be celebrated on 21 September 2006.

The newly-elected moderator of the World Council of Churches (WCC) central committee speaks in this interview about the beauty of the ecumenical vision and the enthusiasm it engenders, the scandal of divisions between Christians, and his dream of churches which allow themselves to be renewed so as to experience the unity of the Christian family.