WCC NEWS: WCC expresses gratitude for new Church of Sweden Archbishop Martin Modéus

WCC expresses gratitude for new Church of Sweden Archbishop Martin Modéus World Council of Churches (WCC) acting general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca and WCC general secretary-elect Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay expressed gratitude for the new Church of Sweden archbishop and primate of Uppsala Dr Martin Modéus. Archbishop Martin Modéus is received as the new archbishop in Uppsala Cathedral on Sunday 4 December 2022 Photo: Magnus Aronson/Ikon 06 December 2022 “On behalf of our worldwide fellowship of 352 member churches representing more than half a billion Christians around the world, we commend your ministry, your many ways of pushing for unity, and your legacy of strengthening the role of the church in society,” wrote Sauca and Pillay. “Your church has been an integral part of the WCC’s call to seek unity, and a common public witness and service to others in a world where hope and solidarity are the seeds for justice and peace.” The Church of Sweden is one of the WCC’s founding partners. “Since the early years of your ministry, you have been an ambassador for Christian unity, spiritual life, and formation,” wrote Sauca and Pillay. “God has blessed you with the gift of prophetic leadership for the trying times in which we all live.” Rev. Prof Jerry Pillay and Marianne Ejdersten, WCC director of communication attended a weekend-long programme including a historic service in the Cathedral of Uppsala in the presence of the King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden and several state and religious leaders from all over the world and others who offered appreciation and prayers for Modeus as he begins his journey. Link to the letter Link to the service Link to the Church of Sweden website Group photo after Archbishop Martin Modéus is received as the new archbishop in Uppsala Cathedral on Sunday 4 December 2022 Photo: Magnus Aronson/Ikon 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