wfn.org | AACC WCC Moderator His Holiness Aram I visits Nairobi

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

All Africa Conference of Churches
Information and Communication Desk
P. O. Box 14205
00800 Westlands
Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: 254 - 020 - 4441483 / 4441338/9
Fax: 254 - 020 - 4443241, 4445835
E-mail: infodesk@aacc-ceta.org
Website: www.aacc-ceta.org

High Ranking Leader Of A Global Church Organisation Arrives In Nairobi.

NAIROBI, April 12, 2004 - The Moderator of the Geneva based World Council 
of Churches (WCC) His Holiness Aram I arrives in Nairobi tomorrow (Tuesday 
April 13) to effectively place Africa on the global agenda.

As a moderator who chairs WCC Central Committee the highest WCC policy 
making organ after WCC General Assembly, his official visits attract global 
attention which includes the attention of some 400 million Christians 
world-wide who form the congregational membership of WCC global network of 
member churches.

He is the most prominent leader of the Church outside the Roman Catholic 
Church.

WCC is the world s broadest and most inclusive ecumenical (fellowship of 
churches) organisation. It enjoys a membership of 320 churches from 
virtually all Christian traditions in 120 countries in all continents. The 
Roman Catholic Church works cooperatively with WCC although it is not a 
member Church.

Asked of his vision for Africa as he planned this visit, he stated:-

Africa is becoming an important region for many reasons. The ecumenical 
movement must take Africa very seriously. Africa cannot remain on the 
periphery of the international community. Its problems are our problems. 
Its dreams are our dreams. Its struggle is our struggle. The ecumenical 
movement is called to participation in all processes and actions that are 
aimed at establishing lasting peace in Africa.

His Holiness Aram I comes to strengthen the Church in Africa in its own 
work of healing the wounds of the continent noted Rev Dr H. Mvume Dandala, 
the General Secretary of the All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC) 
adding that while the church plays leading roles in the endeavours of the 
people of Africa, it needs unity in its thrust.

Upon his arrival at noon, His Holiness Aram 1 will address a press 
conference at 2.30 p.m. Tuesday February 13, 2004 at the lounge of 
Ufungamano House before he addresses a public lecture at the same venue at 
3.00 p.m.

On the following day Wednesday April 14 at 8.0 a.m., he will conduct a 
ceremony in which he will bless Africa.  The ceremony will be at the AACC 
Chapel on Waiyaki Way, Westlands.

A wrap-up press conference is planned for Thursday 15th April at 2.330 p.m. 
at the Grand Regency Hotel.

He travels to Rwanda on Friday April 16, 2004.	Having experienced the 
impact of Armenian genocide known as the genocide of the 20th Century (as 
Rwanda triggered the genocide of the 21st Century) His Holiness Aram I 
makes key contribution of memory of genocide.

His Holiness Aram I, a PhD in Theology holder, is an author of a dozen 
books, his recent book being a collection of essays entitled:  The 
Challenge to be a Church in a Challenging World.

He was elected Catholicos of the See of Gilicia of the Armenian Apostolic 
Church, Oriental Orthodox, Antelias, Lebanon in 1995.

He visits Africa at the invitation of the AACC and the National Council of 
Churches of Kenya (NCCK), for Kenya and National Council of Churches of 
Rwanda, for Rwanda visit.

For further information, contact:

Mitch Odero
HEAD OF
COMMUNICATION AND ADVOCACY PROGRAMME