Search results

A statement adopted by the WCC central committee on the basis
of the WCC consultative group on AIDS study process,
September 1996

The Unit IV Committee recognizes that diakonia, martyria and koinonia are essential elements of the central mission of the church. Koinonia without diakonia is dead. Sharing and service as practical actions are at the heart of our fellowship and are a source of our unity.

Decision of the Central Committee, Geneva, 12-20 September 1996.

Based on discussions at the World Council of Churches consultation on children, 19-21 May 1996.

David K. Yemba, current moderator of the Faith and Order Commission and Dean of the Africa University in Mutare, Zimbabwe, discusses the content and reception of Faith and Order work in Africa, and the effect of African churches on the ecumenical movement in general.

On Monday, 14 November 1994, the heads of the Christian communities in Jerusalem met in solemn conclave to discuss the status of the Holy City and the situation of the Christians there, at the conclusion of which, they issued the following declaration.

The "Letter to the Churches" and report from the first consultation (held at Ditchingham, England) in Faith and Order's current study programme on worship in relation to Christian unity. Drawing on the resources of the liturgical renewal movement, and produced together with leading liturgists, this text focuses on the common structure of Christian worship, on issues of inculturation in worship, and on how, through worship, churches are already expressing their unity in Christ.

In 1979 the WCC produced a document entitled "Guidelines on Dialogue with People of Living Faiths" which sought to identify and discuss the major practical and theological issues in interfaith relations. While it addressed some of the overall aspects, it recognized the need for more specific "guidelines" or ecumenical considerations on Christian relations with each of the major faith communities in the world. This document results from the attempt to follow this up in the area of Christian-Muslim relations. It draws on the experience gained from the considerable work carried out over the years. All the meetings between Christians and Muslims organized by the sub-unit on Dialogue during the past twenty years have been documented in the WCC publication "Meeting in Faith". These meetings, however, are only a small part of a much richer history of relations and numerous dialogue encounters in many places. The document that follows is itself based on five regional meetings between Christians and Muslims organized in different parts of the world. These meetings helped to identify some of the important issues which Christians and Muslims need to reflect on and continue to consider together in the years ahead. Many qualified persons in the field of Christian-Muslim relations were consulted in the process.

Further statements from the Heads of Churches and Christian Communities in Jerusalem are available in Jerusalem Testament: Palestinian Christians Speak, 1988-2008 by Melanie May (Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2010)

This statement is signed by:
- His Beatitude Diodoros I Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem
- His Beafitude Michel Sabbah, Latin Patriarch
- His Beatitude Yeghishe Derderian, Armenian Orthodox Patriarch
- Very Rev. Father Carlo Cecchitelli, of m, Custos of the Holy Land
- His Exc. Amba Basilios, Coptic Orthodox Archbishop
- His Exc. Mar Dionysios Behnam Jijawi, Syrian Orthodox Archbishop
- His Exc. Msgr Lutfi Laham, Greek Melkite Catholic Patriarcal Vicar
- Right Rev. Samir Kafity, Bishop of the Episcopalian Church
- Right Rev. Naim Nasr, Bishop ot the Evangelical Lutheran Church

Adopted by the WCC Executive Committee’s at its meeting in Reykjavik, Iceland 15-19 September 1986

The study guide My Neighbour's Faith and Mine: Theological discoveries through interfaith dialogue, was published by the WCC in 1986. Since then it has been translated into numerous languages and used widely.

The Lima Liturgy is a Eucharistic (Holy Communion) service expressing, in one possible liturgical form, the ecclesiological convergence on the eucharist reached in the Faith and Order text Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry (BEM). It is so named because it was first used at the Faith and Order Plenary Commission meeting in Lima, Peru in 1982 - the meeting which approved BEM for transmission to the churches for official response.

CHAPTER 1, Why this Study Was Prepared

CHAPTER 2, The scientific facts: an introduction

CHAPTER 4, Ethical Perspectives

CHAPTER 5, Human Rights, Responsibilities and HIV/AIDS

CHAPTER 6 Pastoral Care and Healing Community