Contact: Juan Michel, +41-22-791-6153 +41-79-507-6363, media@wcc-coe.org

KINGSTON, Jamaica, Feb. 21 /Standard Newswire/ -- The World Council of Churches (WCC) central committee closed its 13-20 February meeting after having chosen the venue for the 2011 International Ecumenical Peace Convocation, achieved progress towards a broader WCC Assembly, welcomed new member churches, appointed a search committee for a new general secretary and celebrated the Council's 60th anniversary. The WCC main governing body also put its stamp on a number of public statements, policy concerns and programme plans.

[Free photos available, see below]

"This meeting allowed us to foster the programmes of the Council and, in a number of respects, move forward our ecumenical journey as churches, with the aim of calling one another to visible unity", said the central committee moderator Rev. Dr Walter Altmann at a closing press conference.

"After a period dedicated to 'translate' the mandate of the Porto Alegre Assembly into programmes and with new communication and fundraising strategies approved, we have now everything in place to do our work", added the WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia.

60 years of fellowship

A festive celebration at Geneva's St. Pierre Cathedral marked the WCC 60th anniversary, which is being celebrated this year under the theme "Making a difference together". Central committee members as well as local church representatives, ecumenical partners and international guests gave thanks to God for the gift of a fellowship that has endured many challenges through six decades of existence.

The Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I, reminded the congregation that the WCC has provided "an ideal platform" for churches to engage in dialogue and promote Christian unity, as well as to respond to the needs of society.

New member churches

Two churches from opposite sides of the globe were welcomed into full fellowship. Under the WCC's new membership guidelines, the Independent Presbyterian Church in Brazil and the Lao Evangelical Church had been received for an interim period 18 months ago. They have increased the number of the WCC member churches to 349.

Upcoming events: global peace gathering, broader assembly

The WCC central committee chose Kingston, Jamaica, as venue for the 2011 International Ecumenical Peace Convocation (IEPC). The IEPC will culminate the WCC's Decade to Overcome Violence 2001-2010: Churches seeking reconciliation and peace. It is expected that over 2,000 participants will get together under the theme "Glory to God and peace on earth".

The proposal, originated at the Porto Alegre assembly in 2006, of an "expanded space" at the next WCC assembly was discussed and affirmed. A "discernment committee" was appointed to move the process forward. The goal is to provide for a broader participation of ecumenical partners and non member churches, without compromising past achievements or the WCC identity and methodology. The WCC general secretary was commissioned to initiate the search for an adequate venue for the next assembly, scheduled for 2013.

Search for a new general secretary begins

Following the decision of the current general secretary Samuel Kobia not to seek a second term in office, the central committee appointed a search committee in order to fulfil the position at its next meeting in September 2009.

"The central committee received this news with regret but accepted the decision of the general secretary", said Altmann, who also expressed "deep gratitude" for Kobia's "dedicated services". Kobia has "full support to carry out his duties until the end of his term", he added.

Kobia will remain in office until 31 December 2008. An acting general secretary will assume office as of 1 January 2009 until a new general secretary elected by the central committee at its meeting in September 2009 takes office, likely by the end of 2009.

Statements on international affairs

Seven statements and minutes on public issues were approved by the central committee:

Statement on democratic electoral processes. Affirming that "attention should be paid to pre- and post-electoral mechanisms" so that "an election truly reflects the will of the people", it calls on churches to be involved "in civil political engagement and education".

Statement on the crisis in Kenya and the churches' response. Addressing the violence that followed the recent presidential election, it recognizes that many Kenyan churches were affected by partisanship, but "affirms church leaders and members who became advocates for peace".

Statement on the crisis in Pakistan. Reviewing the country's troubled political history, it calls the outcome of the latest elections "encouraging". Hoping for a "return to democratic governance", it calls on churches "to continue to pray for peace and reconciliation in Pakistan".

Statement on cluster munitions. Recounting the deadly use of cluster weapons around the world and their effects on civilians, it condemns their use and lifts up the "Oslo Process" for negotiating a treaty against them.

Minute on the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. It "calls urgently" for "an immediate lifting of the blockade of Gaza" and on member churches to pray for Gaza and to speak out on the situation.

Minute on our religious imperative to foster sensitivity and reconciliation in shifting society. It calls for mutual respect among people of different faiths, encouraging churches to model non-violent solutions wherever tensions arise.

Minute on global warming and climate change. As climate change effects are "being experienced already in many parts of the world", it affirms that "action must be taken now". Churches "can take key leadership roles", it says.

Recommendation on Kosovo. Recalling a "Minute on Kosovo" adopted at its September 2006 meeting, the central committee asked the general secretary to send a letter of support to the Holy Synod of the Serbian Orthodox Church expressing affirmation of efforts towards peace.

A "Statement on eco-justice and ecological debt" was discussed and referred to member churches for reflection and feedback. A revised draft will be considered at the next central committee meeting in September 2009.

Programmes and finances

All the activities carried out in the Council's six programmatic areas were affirmed, even though further work on prioritization was requested. Amongst an important number of detailed recommendations, the central committee asked for youth receiving greater attention in all the programmes.

The central committee approved a new communication strategy aimed at strengthening the WCC "overall profile and image" by developing a "focused message" and building "communication skills among staff" as well as among central committee members.

The central committee heard that the Council's 2008 budget is balanced, with a total expenditure of CHF 42 million and a total income of CHF 39,51 million – the difference being covered by accumulated programme funds. With general reserves close to CHF 10 million, the WCC income strategy focuses on its members' contributions, continued partnerships with specialized ministries, and development of foundations and individual donors.

At the centre of the global ecumenical village

At the 60th anniversary celebration, the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I suggested that in the context of a reconfigured ecumenical movement in the 21st century, the place for the WCC should be "at the centre of the life of the global ecumenical village".

"Let us then go forward with hope along the path that we have trodden these past 60 years", concluded Bartholomew.

More information on the central committee meeting:
http://www.oikoumene.org/en/events-sections/cc2008.html

Free high resolution photos are available:
http://www.oikoumene.org/en/news/photo-galleries/central-committee-2008

Additional information: Juan Michel,+41 22 791 6153 +41 79 507 6363 media@wcc-coe.org

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 347 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 560 million Christians in over 110 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia, from the Methodist Church in Kenya. Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.