Global Church Body Moves Ecumenical Journey Forward
Friday, Feb. 22, 2008 Posted: 1:54:10PM EST
Attendants of the gathering also discussed ways to expand its circle to bring in more ecumenical partners and other voices into one event or a series of events for a more cohesive ecumenical voice. WCC represents just over 25 percent of the world's Christians, according to WCC program executive Doug Chial.
The WCC executive committee recommended to the central committee that an Assembly Discernment Committee be formed to move the conversation and thinking forward on a possible broader WCC assembly.
Some attendants, however, offered caution when taking such a step. Although they want the ecumenical cause to move forward, many do not want to see a loss of WCC identity and methodology.
"This is a very serious subject," said His Holiness Abune Paulos of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, one of the WCC presidents. "I think we need more time to study it."
At the close of the conference, the WCC announced it has begun searching for a new leader after the body's current head, the Rev. Dr. Samuel Kobia, announced he will not seek a second term. Kobia, who took office in January 2004, cited personal reasons for not seeking to extend his leadership as general secretary.
An acting general secretary will be appointed by the WCC executive committee at its meeting in September 2008 and a new head is schedule to be elected at the central committee meeting in September 2009.
