World Council of Churches - News GENEVA STATE COUNCIL PRESIDENT WELCOMES WCC CENTRAL COMMITTEE 03 July 2014 Geneva State Council President François Longchamp welcomed the World Council of Churchs (WCC) Central Committee on Wednesday 2 July, reflecting on Genevas historic roles as well as its determination to look forward in matters of both religion and state. “The League of Nations came into existence here in the 20th century,” he said, “and we are commemorating 100 years since the beginning of the first world war.” In addition to its prominence as a neutral place in which to nurture peace among nations, Geneva is also known for its role as a refuge for religious communities, he pointed out. “Nobody knows better than you do how important Geneva is in making the Reformation widespread,” he said. “With considerable influence over the years, Geneva has opened its doors to spiritual communities that were being persecuted for their worship.” Longchamp assured WCC Central Committee members that Geneva is open for dialogue. “I give you my warm greetings,” he said, “and I assure you of the states constant attention.” Reflections on pilgrimage of justice and peace As WCC Central Committee members took time to reflect on their sense of carrying forward the vision and policies of the WCC 10th Assembly, Rev. Dr Gottfried Locher, president of the Swiss Protestant Churches, also shared his thoughts on a pilgrimage of justice and peace. In Busan, through the assembly, “we have been enriched,” he said. “We have learned what it means to be a unified, diverse people.” He compared the WCCs time in Busan to “one long Sunday.” Now the WCC Central Committee must find connection even in their diversity, he said. “Now Monday has started and your work coming from Busan needs to be taken up.” Locher urged the Central Committee to adopt a mixture of work and prayer as they opened the week-long meeting. “We are on a pilgrimage, and a pilgrimage is a metaphor where rest and travel, holiday and work come together. We have one common goal: Gods kingdom.” Locher, a former member of the Central Committee, urged the current WCC governing body to strengthen communion among churches worldwide. “Do insist on clarity of what you hear,” he said. “Do call for specific measures. What do we mean by pilgrimage? You have to bind your shoes. You have to walk.” Ecumenical Centre development anticipated Residents of Geneva are anticipating the development of the Ecumenical Centre and WCC offices as part of a proposed Promenade de la Paix, or “peace promenade,” in Geneva. “You will see a lot of building going on here,” said Longchamp, “and we have made careful decisions in redesigning this site so that we preserve the very great value of this building and its chapel, which is very important.” The WCCs role in promoting peace will be reflected in the design of the peace promenade, he said. “Nobody forgets the role of the WCC during the period of the cold war as a place of dialogue between the east and the west.” A contract for the development of the Ecumenical Centre and WCC offices was awarded to the Geneva-based firm LRS Architectes, which won an architectural competition for development of the site. More about the WCC Central Committee: lists.wcc-coe.org/ct.html?ufl=2&rtr=on&s=jazjt,x2a3,usx,2mg3,b0n4,33i2,4k2x *** 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, by the end of 2013 the WCC had 345 member churches representing more than 500 million Christians from Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other traditions in over 140 countries. The WCC works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is the Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, from the [Lutheran] Church of Norway.
Posted on: Thu, 03 Jul 2014 10:12:20 +0000
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