WCC news: Pacific Conference of Churches prepares for 12th General Assembly

The Pacific Conference of Churches is preparing for its 12th General Assembly, which will be hold 16-23 November in Kanaky New Caledonia.  1 September 2022, Karlsruhe, Germany: A group from the Pacific Youth Delegation to the General Assembly performing a youth concert and traditional dance in the Christuskirche in the evening the 1st of September. The 11th assembly of the World Council of Churches from August 31 to September 8 has the theme "Christ's Love Moves the World to Reconciliation and Unity." Photo: Gjermund Øystese/WCC 15 November 2023 World Council of Churches (WCC) president from the Pacific Rev. François Phiaatae will be one of the speakers of the opening plenary, which is convening under the theme “Do Kamo: Khrist, transform us into your new humanity.”  Phiaatae, of the Maòhi Protestant Church, is from Maohi Nui (French Polynesia) and is an ordained minister of the Etärëtia Porotetani Mäòhi (Mäòhi Protestant Church). The thematic plenaries will have a strong focus on climate justice, bringing themes such as “Transformation as Ecological Stewardship.” Plenary themes also include “Transformation as Ecumenical Fellowship,” “Transformation as Self Determination,” and “Children as God's Precious Gifts: Transformation as Child Protection and Empowerment.” A Women’s Pre-assembly as well as a Youth Pre-assembly will precede the opening. A special service on 20 November will commemorate International Children’s Day.  Pacific Conference of Churches general secretary Rev. James Bhagwan said about 200 people from from 35 churches and 12 national councils of churches will be attending. “The fact that we will gather in New Caledonia is very meaningful because this is where the Pacific Conference of Churches had its constitutional assembly back in 1966,” he said. “We seek your prayers and spiritual support as we reflect on the assembly theme”. 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 general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. 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