WCC NEWS: Business plenary discusses draft unity statement as milestone on journey of our common life in Christ

In a process described as, “a journey of walking together, praying together, and working together,” Dr Agnes Abuom, WCC moderator, began the second business plenary with a review of the assembly decision-making process. “The decisions of the assembly are expressed through the final reports of the assembly committees,” she said, noting the distinction between earlier messages and final messages, which are expected to come to assembly next week. 2 September 2022, Karslruhe, Germany: Sunrays find their way into the room during a business plenary session at the 11th Assembly of the World Council of Churches, held in Karlsruhe, Germany from 31 August to 8 September, under the theme "Christ's Love Moves the World to Reconciliation and Unity." Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 02 September 2022 During the plenary, the assembly received the second report of the nominations committee. At the time of the report, over 163 nominations had been submitted for 150 seats on the WCC central committee, with more nominations still expected. Part of the work of the nominations committee will be to ensure a balance of representation with respect to youth, gender, lay, as well as Indigenous persons and persons with disabilities. The plenary also discussed a draft Unity Statement. “Every assembly of the WCC has made a statement on unity. That is the main purpose of the whole ecumenical union,” said H.E. Metropolitan Nifon of Targoviste, Romanian Orthodox Church and vice moderator of the WCC central committee, who led the discussion on the draft statement. “The unity statements of the WCC assemblies are milestones on the journey of our common life in Christ. Our unity is a witness to the world of God’s amazing love in Christ for the whole creation.” Rev. Dr. Susan Durber, an advisor to the assembly as the moderator on the Commission on Faith and Order and one of several theologians who helped draft the statement, described the statement as ecumenism of the heart. “Our ecumenism needs to be founded in love,” she said. “Love that is not romantic, not that is not soft or sentimental, but it is what becomes justice when it becomes public. If loves spreads throughout humanity it becomes justice.” Discussion on the statement included affirmation of the statement, and appreciation for the group that worked on the document, along with suggested areas for further emphasis. A youth delegate from The Anglican Church of Uganda, Brian Muyunga, noted that the statement should more boldly highlight the significant role of youth, “in pursing the vision of the WCC for visible unity.” Noting that if the statement boldly emphasised the need for churches to be attentive to the role of youth, “it would ensure that young people are prioritized.” Following the discussion of the draft statement, a sea of orange cards acknowledged that the assembly was ready to receive the unity statement, along with the feedback, and refer it to the Policy Reference Committee. Livestream of the WCC 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe, Germany Photos of the WCC 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe, Germany WCC 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe, Germany 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 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 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