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Cf WCC Press Update Up-03-38 of 13 October 2003

cf. WCC Press Release PR-03-32 of 3 October 2003

Christians from Orthodox and Protestant traditions will reflect together on how churches approach social and ethical issues during an 8-12 October World Council of Churches' (WCC) seminar in Morges, Switzerland. Â

Without giving up the claim that "nothing less than a fundamental shift in political-economic paradigms is necessary", the World Council of Churches (WCC) reaffirmed its willingness to discuss possible reforms of the present economic structures and policies with the international financial institutions.

A memorable Central Committee meeting saw the election of the World Council of Churches' (WCC) first African general secretary, a commitment to explore new ways of configuring the whole ecumenical movement, and an in-depth examination of the place of disabled people in the life of the churches.

"God, in your grace, transform the world" will be the theme of the Ninth General Assembly of the World Council of Churches (WCC), planned for February 2006 in Porto Alegre, Brazil.

Disabilities advocates have challenged churches to accept that "We are not a full community without one another."

The Central Committee of the World Council of Churches has issued a comprehensive statement in the aftermath of the Iraq war, calling for the United Nations to be allowed to work with Iraqis to form a representative, participatory government free of external control.

In a statement on Europe, the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches (WCC) has called for "the central role of Christianity and the contribution of other religions to European history and civilization" to be reflected in the preamble to the European constitution.

By focusing on its core programmes and carefully controlling its expenditure, the World Council of Churches (WCC) is overcoming the difficulties it has faced over the past two years, and is now in a healthier financial position.

Rev. Dr Konrad Raiser re-affirmed the need for a new configuration of the ecumenical movement in his last report to the Central Committee as World Council of Churches' (WCC) general secretary. Â

The moderator of the World Council of Churches' (WCC) Central Committee, His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of Cilicia, has called for "dialogue, relations and collaboration with other religions" to have a "high priority" in the Council's ecumenical witness.

The core vision of ecumenism remains, but ecumenical structures need to be reassessed in order to reflect changing times.

The World Council of Churches' Commission on Faith and Order is preparing itself "to make its call to visible unity more audible to the churches".

Cf. WCC press release, pr-03-25, 02 July 2003

Invitations to nominate participants to the next Conference on World Mission and Evangelism have been sent out to World Council of Churches (WCC) member churches and organizations and networks affiliated with the Commission on World Mission and Evangelism (CWME). The conference will take place in Athens, Greece, 12-19 May 2005.

The future of multi-lateralism and the international order, Iraq, the Middle East, and the role of the churches will be the focus of a 5 June meeting in Paris of representatives of churches in France and staff and members of the World Council of Churches' Commission of the Churches on International Affairs (WCC/CCIA). The participants will also be received by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"... For if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.  And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment; about sin, because they do not believe in me; about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will see me no longer; about judgment, because the ruler of this world has been condemned." (John 16: 7-11, NRSV)

Cf. Press Release, PR-03-16 of 24 April 2003

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