Wednesday, September 13, 2023

WCC News: WCC greetings to Lutheran World Federation: “live an ecumenism of the heart”

In a joint greeting to the Lutheran World Federation Assembly, gathered in Krakow, Poland from 13-19 September, World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Pillay and WCC moderator Bishop Prof. Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm reflected on the assembly’s theme, “One Body, One Spirit, One Hope.”

The 13th Assembly of the Lutheran World Federation is taking place in Krakow, Poland, 13-19 September 2023. Photo: LWF/Albin Hillert

13 September 2023

The greeting speaks of an “ecumenism of the heart” as described in the WCC 11th Assembly Unity Statement. “Advancing an ecumenism of the heart rooted in the experience of Christ’s love, the assembly called us to become disciples of this love, loving one another, transforming the world by love, each in our places and together as the body of Christ.“

The message urges further theological exchange with other churches on concrete steps to further unity. “How can we be a sign of unity for the world, how can we be salt of the earth and light of the world, if we don‘t even live it ourselves?” the message asks. “But we can definitely already now live an ecumenism of the heart, which is firm in the conviction that denominations can never be the main basis of our identity, but can only be ways to newly discover our common Lord Jesus Christ. Let us always be aware of that, when we speak amongst ourselves and with others.”

The world urgently needs an authentic witness of the churches, concluded the message. “ Multiple threats – of accelerating climate change, COVID-19 and its impacts, conflicts, ethnic and gender-based violence, war, displacements, hunger and food insecurity, rising inequality and marginalization adds to the complexities and sufferings in the world,” reads the message. “As many are listening to God’s voice in what you say and decide during this assembly, may the Holy Spirit accompany you to bring a vision of hope, encouragement, and inspiration to a suffering and broken world.”

More information about the LWF Assembly

Common greetings by WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay and moderator Bishop Prof. Dr. Heinrich Bedford-Strohm at the LWF Assembly

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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 general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa.

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