WCC NEWS: WCC congratulates Rev. Anne Burghardt, new Lutheran World Federation general secretary

World Council of Churches acting general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca extended warm congratulations to Rev. Anne Burghardt, who will serve as the new general secretary of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF). The election of Rev. Anne Burghardt marks  the first woman and the first Central and Eastern European pastor to head the LWF. WCC congratulates Rev. Anne Burghardt, new Lutheran World Federation general secretary. Photo: Erik Peinar/LWF 21 June 2021 “It is a joy and encouragement to learn of your election, and to anticipate the contributions you will make as general secretary of the Lutheran World Federation,” wrote Sauca. “We look forward to continuing the close collaboration with the LWF under your leadership.” Rev. Anne Burghardt was elected on 19 June by the LWF Council. “Through your election, the LWF Council has recognized your proven skills as a pastor, an advocate for witness and service and a champion of lively partnerships in the quest for Christian unity and the building of human community despite borders and boundaries,” wrote Sauca. “We, who have worked with you in the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva have long been grateful, too, for the spirituality and talent that you bring to the fellowship.” Sauca concluded: “May the triune God bless you, and the Lutheran World Federation, in the days ahead with strong faith, and may God inspire and uphold you  in your new service.” The 45-year-old Burghardt is currently serving as Head of Development for the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church’s (EELC) Institute of Theology and advisor to the church for international and ecumenical relations. Read the press release from the Lutheran World Federation, 19 June 2021: LWF elects Estonian Anne Burghardt as new General Secretary  WCC letter to Rev. Anne Burghardt - LWF General Secretary-elect WCC member churches in Estonia See more

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 350 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 550 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC acting general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca, from the Orthodox Church in Romania. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland