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"We still believe strongly in the work to achieve unity, because it is God's commandment to us and because our globalized world is in great need of unity," said Prof. Andrea Riccardi speaking at the World Council of Churches (WCC).

By Jerry Hames (*)

"Most sincere congratulations" were expressed to the newly elected head of the Romanian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Daniel, by WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia.

While the situation on the horn of Africa remains tense, Ethiopians prepare themselves to sound the bell for a new millennium of hope for peace, reconciliation and transformation. The country, home to one of the oldest Christian communities in the world, follows its own calendar, which dates the birth of Jesus Christ seven years later than the Gregorian calendar. That is why on Wednesday, the 12 September 2007 according to the Gregorian calendar, Ethiopians celebrate the first day of the year 2000. The so-called Ge-ez calendar corresponds also to the liturgical year of the World Council of Churches' two members in the country, the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church and the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus.

Church leaders and communities facing situations of violence in New York, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C. and New Orleans will share their experiences with an international ecumenical team visiting the United States from 15-23 September. Being from South Africa, Lebanon, Pakistan and Brazil the team members will express the solidarity of churches worldwide with the US churches while learning from their peacemaking efforts concerning urban and gun violence as well as the Iraq war and community peace building.

By Anto Akkara (*)

"Now more than ever, the unity of the churches in Europe is needed to bear witness to a future that transcends the vision of a common economic and political future, to embrace a future in which abundant life in Jesus Christ gives hope to all people, everywhere," said World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia, speaking in Sibiu, Romania on 5 September.

Orphans and vulnerable children are one focus of the 4th Pan African Conference hosted by the Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians in Yaoundé, Cameroon, from 3-8 September 2007. Topics include sexual abuse, child-headed households, the role of faith based organizations in child care, and many more.

Kobia's letter was addressed to the general secretary of the National Council of Churches in Korea Rev. Kwon Oh-sung as the 19 remaining South Korean hostages, freed by the Taliban on Wednesday and Thursday after six weeks in captivity, were leaving Kabul for Dubai on Friday, 31 August. In his message, Kobia also conveys the assurance of "continued prayer and concern on the part of Christians in every part of the world" to the "families and friends of the two hostages who lost their lives". The WCC general secretary met with relatives of the hostages on his recent visit to South Korea. He had earlier invited the Council's member churches to pray for "a peaceful end" to the crisis and the release of the hostages. Letter to the general secretary of the National Council of Churches of Korea: http://www.oikoumene.org/index.php?id=4136 See also our previous press releases: - meeting with the hostages' families: http://www.oikoumene.org/en/news/news-management/all-news-english/displ… - call to pray: http://www.oikoumene.org/en/news/news-management/all-news-english/displ…

Churches in the Pacific become "signs of hope" as they "bear witness to the Gospel and work together to address the issues that most concern the peoples of the region," World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia said in a message sent to the 9th assembly of the Pacific Conference of Churches.

At a time when the Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople - today's Istanbul - is facing growing hardships imposed by decisions of the Turkish judiciary, members of the worldwide ecumenical family have expressed support and solidarity to His All Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.

WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia has been appointed chancellor of St. Paul's University, Limuru, Kenya. The board of trustees thereby expressed their appreciation for Kobia's position "within the ecumenical family in Kenya and beyond", as well as his "vast experience within the church" and contribution to the university.

The World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) is ready to join the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Vatican in supporting a code of conduct to guide activities seeking converts to Christianity.