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

World Council of Churches
Press Update
22 April 1999

STAFF NEWS

Dr Heidi Hadsell (49), the director of the World Council of Churches'
(WCC) Ecumenical Institute, situated at the Chateau de Bossey, Celigny,
near Geneva, will return to Chicago (USA) upon completion of her leave
of absence as dean of McCormick Theological Seminary. Dr Hadsell
joined the Ecumenical Institute in August 1997 and has been instrumental
in creating a Master's Degree Programme for Bossey in association with
the University of Geneva.  Dr Hadsell became professor of Christian
Social Ethics at McCormick Theological Seminary in 1988; since 1994,
until joining the WCC, Hadsell was also vice-president for Academic
Affairs at McCormick. She is a member of the Presbyterian Church
(USA).

Dr Wesley Ariarajah (57), currently teaching Ecumenical Theology at
Drew University, New Jersey (USA), will act as interim director of the
Ecumenical Institute during August to December 1999. For many years Dr
Ariarajah has been closely linked with the work of the World Council of
Churches (WCC). From 1975-1981 he served as vice-moderator of the
WCC Commission on Faith and Order. In 1981 Dr Ariarajah became
programme secretary and later, in 1983, director of the WCC Sub-unit on
Dialogue with People of Living Faiths. From 1993-1997 he was deputy
general secretary of the WCC with special responsibility for the offices
of Relations and Communications. Ariarajah is a Methodist minister and is
a member of the Methodist Church in Sri Lanka.

Statement by Dr Robert Welsh, Moderator of the Board of Directors of
the Ecumenical Institute, Bossey:

"On behalf of the Board of the Ecumenical Institute I want to express our
sincere regret in the return of Dr Heidi Hadsell to Chicago this coming
summer upon completion of her leave-of-absence as Dean of McCormick
School of Theology. In her two years as Director, she brought new
energy, vision and excitement both to the academic programme and to
the crucial task of ecumenical formation of leadership for the church
entering a new millennium. Her legacy, especially in helping to create a
Master's Degree Programme for Bossey in association with the
University of Geneva, will continue to impact this place (Bossey) and the
whole ecumenical movement for years to come. We wish her all the best
as she returns to her responsibilities in the United States of America;
indeed, as she continues to serve in the arena of theological education
for the church's future."

In making this announcement, Dr Welsh was pleased to be able to share
word of the appointment of Dr Wesley Ariarajah as interim director for
Bossey during August - December 1999. The theme for this year's
Graduate School, "Christians in a Religiously Plural World: Challenge and
Opportunity", is closely related with Dr Ariarajah's current teaching at
Drew University as Professor of Ecumenical Theology and his earlier
work as director of the Sub-unit on Dialogue with People of Living Faiths
as well as deputy general secretary for Relationships.

Contact:  Karin Achtelstetter, Media Relations Officer          

**********
The World Council of Churches is a fellowship of churches, now 338, 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.

World Council of Churches
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