wfn.org | NCC's Edgar Hail Catholic Bishops' Decision to Join CCTUSA

["Carol Fouke" <cfouke@ncccusa.org>]

NCC's Edgar Hails U.S. Catholic Bishops' Agreement to Join Christian Churches
Together in the U.S.A.

November 18, 2004, New York City -- NCC General Secretary Bob Edgar welcomed
the U.S. Catholic Bishops' decision Nov. 17 to join Christian Churches
Together in the U.S.A. (CCT), an effort to bring Catholics, evangelical and
mainline Protestants, and Orthodox Christians around a common table for the
first time.B  

CCT is a new forum for leaders of the nation's churches to discuss topics of
common interest and grow in their relationships with one another -- more a
place to be together than to act together, Dr. Edgar noted.B  

The NCCB initiated theB exploration of such a forum in 2001 and has continued
as a key supporter of the CCT initiative, encouraging its 36 participating
churches (denominations) to pursue the concept. 

"The NCC and CCT are complementary," Edgar noted.B  "Many of the NCC's 36
member churches are joining CCT -- an important step forward in broadening
ecumenical fellowship -- while affirming their strong support of the NCC and
its ongoing diverse program, which includes theological discussion, Bible
translation, communication, education, interfaith relations and advocacy on
behalf of critical issues of justice and peace."B  

According to Religion News Service, Bishop Stephen Blaire of Stockton,
Calif., who chairs the Catholic Bishops' ecumenical committee, said CCT is
"not to create another kind of National Council of Churches.... It's a forum
for participation so we can pray together, grow in our understanding together
and witness together our faith in whatever way is possible in our society."

-end-

National Council of Churches USA
475 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10115
Media Contact: Carol Fouke, cfouke@ncccusa.org; 212-870-2252
Web: www.ncccusa.org