WCC NEWS: WCC president from the Pacific: “We share our joys, our pains, our angers—and find common ground”

The World Council of Churches (WCC) 11th Assembly elected eight new presidents on 5 September.  Below. Rev. Francois Pihaatae, WCC president for the Pacific, reflects on the new role, and a vision for how insights gained at the assembly will carry forward. 6 September 2022, Karlsruhe, Germany: Rev. François Phiaatae, newly elected WCC president for the Pacific region at the 11th Assembly of the World Council of Churches is 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 08 September 2022 What inspires you most about taking on this important role within the WCC? Rev. Pihaatae: I have been in an ecumenical journey of faith since 1995, and also served as a former general secretary of the Pacific Conference of Churches from 2013-2018. I think it is time to move to an international level as God’s will. Also, in serving at the WCC as an international forum, I think it is the right place to move the Pacific issues at the global level. What are your greatest concerns in the Pacific? Rev. Pihaatae: The greatest concerns for people in the Pacific include the self-determination and human dignity of West Papua, Maohi Nui and Kanaky. We are also focused on climate justice and the impacts of the sea level rise on the lowline atolls. We are seeking compensation from the French State for the victims of the 193 nuclear tests done in Moruroa and Fagataufa. And we are gravely concerned about the project of big international companies for seabed mining in the Pacific that will destroy our main source of life. How will the WCC 11th Assembly help move you forward on the path of reconciliation and peace in the Pacific?  Rev. Pihaatae: The WCC has already done much for the churches in the Pacific, and with the many insights, resources, and materials we gain during the assembly through the thematic plenaries, Bible studies, morning and evening worship, and daily sharing at the tables, the workshops, and home groups, we feel empowered to start our mission right after the assembly. The only thing we need from WCC is the pastoral accompaniment of our member churches through human resources, and also if possible, to move our mission forward in our region on the path for reconciliation and peace. I thank God for this wonderful and very unique moment in our lives. The world, through the WCC assembly, has come together and been inspired by God’s Spirit where we share our joys, our pains, our angers, and at the same time find common ground so we can help each other in doing mission in our own context. My sincere thanks to the moderator, the vice moderators, the acting general secretary, to all the WCC staff who worked hard to bring everybody to Karlsruhe, and in particular the host churches in Europe for warm hospitality that made us feel at home. Last but not the least, with all the critical issues we are all facing today, the only arm to overcome them is faith. Mauruuru and God bless. 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