wfn.org | Bishop Trevor Huddleston

[Sheila MESA <smm@wcc-coe.org>]

World Council of Churches
Press Release
For Immediate Use
21 April 1998

BISHOP TREVOR HUDDLESTON

The following tribute to Bishop Trevor Huddleston, who died on Monday
20 April, has been paid by the Rev. Dr Konrad Raiser, General Secretary
of the World Council of Churches:

"Although not involved in the institutional work of the World Council of
Churches, Trevor Huddleston deeply influenced its work in the struggle
against racism and apartheid.

This giant of 20th century Christianity played an extraordinarily important
role in helping the world's churches see that they had to be involved in
the anti-apartheid struggle because of the churches' own sin of
co-responsibility for, and involvement in, apartheid.

In Bishop Huddleston, the WCC's Programme to Combat Racism had a
strong ally and he provided wise counsel on many occasions.  He was
one of those who helped link the churches and the anti-apartheid
movements in a common struggle.

He was one of the most courageous Anglican clergyman of his
generation.  He believed, to a degree more than most, that the daily
outworking of faith in concrete acts was the test not only of one's
integrity towards people but also to God.

Beyond the struggle against racism and apartheid, Trevor Huddleston
was much involved in interfaith dialogue which he believed was a
necessary ingredient for the reconcilation of peoples.  As Archbishop of
the Indian Ocean, he hosted an inter-faith consultation in Mauritius which
prepared for the WCC's Sixth Assembly in Vancouver.  He was also at
times critical of the WCC's concern for promoting Christian unity when he
believed real ecumenism should involve inter-religious relationships.

We give thanks to God for the life of Trevor Huddleston.  He continued to
be one of the signs of the disturbing presence of God up to his death. 
Whilst apartheid may be dead, the scourge of racism still permeates
many places on earth.  We will best honour the memory of Bishop
Huddleston by continuing to struggle against racism in all its forms, and
by making renewed efforts to create a world in which the dignity and
worth of every person is recognised by all nations, governments and
peoples."

**********
The World Council of Churches is a fellowship of churches, now 332, in
more than 100 countries in all continents from virtually all Christian
traditions.  The Roman Catholic Church is not a member church but
works cooperatively with the WCC.  The highest governing body is the
Assembly, which meets approximately every seven years.  The WCC
was formally inaugurated in 1948 in Amsterdam, Netherlands.  Its staff is
headed by general secretary Konrad Raiser from the Evangelical Church
in Germany.

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