World Council of Churches - Update
Contact: + 41 22 791 6153 +41 79 507 6363 media@wcc-coe.org For immediate release - 30/05/2006 12:00:11 PM
CHURCH OF GREECE PRIMATE SAYS WAY OPEN TO ECUMENICAL RENEWAL
Free photos available, see below
New perspectives have been opened for renewal of the ecumenical movement as well as for Orthodox participation in the World Council of Churches (WCC) by the Council's 9th Assembly, Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and all Greece said yesterday in Geneva.
At the start of his 29-31 May visit to the WCC, the primate of the 10-million-strong (Orthodox) Church of Greece referred to "new perspectives of the ecumenical movement after the significant decisions taken by the 9th Assembly".
According to Archbishop Christodoulos, the Assembly, celebrated in Porto Alegre last February, was "historic" not only because it satisfied many long-standing Orthodox demands, but especially because "it strengthened the perspectives of renewal of the ecumenical movement's mission in the new reality of the world".
Through several of its key decisions, including the adoption of a consensus decision-making process as well as of stricter theological and ecclesiological criteria for Council membership, the Assembly established a "new basis that will allow the Orthodox church not only to participate in the ecumenical dialogue without reticence but also to contribute effectively to it," Christodoulos said.
Advocating for "dialogue in truth, according to the spirit of truly Christian love for God and humankind," the archbishop affirmed that the Church of Greece is ready "to contribute its support to the new perspective s of ecumenical dialogue". He also emphasized the need for "coherence" and a "sense of responsibility in the planning of future actions" and programmes by the WCC governing bodies.
Christodoulos recognized that the "journey towards unity is long and difficult, because it demands that the church's historic memory be cleansed of burdens and traumatic experiences that have shackled it for centuries". However, he affirmed that the final goal of the ecumenical movement is "the ecclesial communion around the Lord's table," and asked for all to persevere, trusting that "the divine gift of communion will come in its own good time".
Common journey towards unity
In welcoming Christodoulos, the WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia agreed that the "major constitutional and institutional changes" undertaken by the 9th Assembly were of an historical nature and had inaugurated a "new stage" in the participation of the Orthodox in the WCC. He also highlighted the "invaluable contribution" of theologians from the Church of Greece, one of the founding and most active members of the Council.
The WCC general secretary praised the "radical contemporary developments and changes" taking place in the Church of Greece. Today, the latter is involved in inter-Christian dialogue and cooperation, shares its resources with peoples and churches in need, is committed to peaceful coexistence with peoples of other faiths, and plays a pioneer role on issues like bioethics, migrants and refugees, while women are encouraged to discuss their place and specific contribution to its life and witness.
Without pretending "that all problems have been solved" or minimizing "the difficulties ahead of us," Kobia affirmed that "as we open a new page in our own history after the Assembly, we express our authentic desire to open a new page of collaboration with the Church of Greece".
If "forms of fundamentalism and sterile conservatism are to be found across the confessional and denominational boundaries," Kobia said, the WCC is "ready ... to become a real space for encounter and dialogue". There is "no other way forward but for the churches of Christ to continue to walk together on their common journey towards unity, without compromise, providing one another a mutual enrichment and sustenance," he added.
New scholarship for ecumenical studies
Later the same day, Archbishop Christodoulos visited the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey, near Geneva, and announced an annual scholarship grant to support studies in ecumenism at the Institute.
The annual scholarship for a young person from Greece is to be named in honour of Dr Nikos Nissiotis, remembered as an outstanding theologian, ecumenical leader and also an Olympic committee member and athlete from Greece, who was a professor (1958-1966) and a director of the Ecumenical Institute (1966-1974).
Speaking to staff, faculty and other guests, Archbishop Christodoulos emphasized the importance of the formation of young people as a source of creative renewal in the church and ecumenical movement.
"The Church of Greece invites young people to create a new ecumenical conscience to respond to the great challenges of our time. The church does not fear change, but rather stagnation," the archbishop stated.
Free high resolution photos of the visit are available at: http://www.oikoumene.org/en/news/photo-galleries/archbishop-christodoulosvi sit.html
The full text of the speeches of the archbishop and the WCC general secretary are available at: http://www.oikoumene.org/en/resources/documents/general-secretary/visits/ar chbishop-christodoulos.html
An outline of the visit programme is available at: http://oikoumene.org/fileadmin/images/wcc-main/news/spring2006/short_progra mme.pdf
This material may be reprinted freely.
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The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 348 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 560 million Christians in over 110 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia, from the Methodist Church in Kenya. Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.