World Council of Churches - News Release
Contact: +41 22 791 6153 +41 79 507 6363 media@wcc-coe.org For immediate release - 31/08/2006 09:15:42 AM
"TAKE RISKS TO WELCOME THE STRANGER," KOBIA APPEALS
In a volatile global context, the massive migration of people around the world has a deep impact on societies and churches, and poses fundamental questions for ecumenical relationships and responsibility, the general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC) stated in his report to the organization's main governing body.
Migration "is one of the main features of the changing global context, with decisive consequences for the ecumenical movement locally and globally," Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia noted in his opening address to the WCC's central committee, meeting in Geneva 30 August-6 September 2006.
The UN estimates that over 175 million people are on the move worldwide, and the trend is growing as economic globalization, civil conflicts and transport links transform traditional societies.
In the face of such complex change, churches in all places are called to live out the biblical ideal of hospitality towards the stranger and accepting change, Kobia said.
"In today?s world, welcoming strangers is a justice issue, and often a political statement," Kobia underlined. "Practising true hospitality involves recognizing our own vulnerability and being open to transformation ."
"Standing with migrants is politically unpopular in most regions of the world. The risks are very real, yet so is our calling," he said.
In his report, Kobia also outlined proposals for a new ecumenical initiative in response to the Middle East conflicts, which he termed "the greatest of challenges" to the international community. Kobia's proposal centres on the establishment of a new Palestine/Israel Ecumenical Forum to strengthen the coordination of strategy, resources and actions of churches and related organizations in the region. The Middle East is expected to be a central focus of the committee's discussions.
Referring to the recommendations made at the WCC's 9th Assembly early in 2006 for an "integrated and interactive approach" to the programmatic and relational work of the WCC, Kobia said the Council should give priority to the collaboration and coherence among the various ecumenical bodies in the coming years, with the aim of strengthening the "constructive collaboration " of church bodies.
New programme plans and policy priorities for the coming seven years will be endorsed by the committee during the session.
The WCC central committee gathers 150 church representatives from all regions and church traditions, and has the oversight of the Council's policy and programmes.
The full text of Kobia's report is available on the WCC website at: http://www.oikoumene.org/index.php?id=2472
Additional information is available on the WCC website: http://www.oikoumene.org/en/events-sections/cc2006.html
Additional information: Juan Michel, +41 22 791 6153 +41 79 507 6363 media@wcc-coe.org
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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.