wfn.org | Title: WCC seeking proposals for theme of its next assembly

["WCC Media" <Media@wcc-coe.org>]

World Council of Churches
Update 03-24
For Immediate Use
19 May 2003

WCC seeking proposals for theme of its next assembly 

Cf. WCC Press Release PR-03-17, of 9 May 2003
Cf. WCC Press Updates UP-03-22 and UP-03-23, of 13 and 16 May 2003

The World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Konrad Raiser
invited people to propose possible themes for the Council's upcoming ninth
assembly, to take place in Porto Alegre in February 2006. 

Raiser issued the invitation towards the end of an 11-17 May visit to Brazil.
"The theme of the assembly should be relevant for Latin America and for
Brazilian churches," he said. 

Suggested themes should be sent to the WCC general secretary in Geneva,
Switzerland, by 10 August. Two weeks later, the WCC's central committee will
take a final decision on this, and other questions related to the assembly. 

At the end of his trip, Raiser had many positive things to say about his
visit to Brazil. "The Brazilian churches are extremely willing to accompany
the process of preparing the assembly, and there are expectations that these
preparations will give the joint work of the churches new energy," he said. 

After receiving a promise of support from the Brazilian Roman Catholic
Church, Raiser said that he expects significant Catholic participation in the
assembly. The promise was made by Bishop Dom Sinisio Bohn, representing the
Brazilian National Bishops' Conference (CNBB).
 
While the Roman Catholic Church is a not a member of the WCC, the CNBB is a
member of the National Council of Christian Churches of Brazil (CONIC), the
body that invited the WCC to hold its assembly in Porto Alegre. Raiser
emphasized that this fact - unique in Latin America - is what renders the
Brazilian ecumenical situation particularly interesting. 

On the question of whether the Pentecostal churches will be represented at
the assembly, Raiser said that the WCC "leaves in the hands of the Holy
Spirit whether the assembly brings us closer to the Pentecostal churches". 

As of mid-2004, an executive secretary in Porto Alegre will coordinate the
organization of the assembly. Brazilian church leaders also agreed that CONIC
should act as an interim national organizing committee, while its
representative in Rio Grande do Sul, Anglican bishop Naudal Alves Gomes, will
convene a local committee.  

The WCC assembly, held every seven years, brings together around 3,500
participants, including delegates from member churches, speakers, observers,
guests, visitors and journalists. Gathering Christians from all over the
world and from virtually every Christian tradition, its assemblies are major
events in the life of the Council.

In Brazil, WCC members include the Evangelical Church of the Lutheran
Confession, the Christian Reformed Church of Brazil, the Episcopal Anglican
Church of Brazil, the Methodist Church in Brazil and the United Presbyterian
Church of Brazil.

For further information, please contact the Media Relations Office, 
tel: +41 (0)22 791 64 21 / 61 53

**********

The World Council of Churches (WCC) is a fellowship of churches, now 342, 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, The Netherlands. Its staff is headed by general secretary
Konrad Raiser from the Evangelical Church in Germany.

World Council of Churches
Media Relations Office
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