World Council of Churches - News Release
Contact: +41 22 791 6153 +41 79 507 6363 media@wcc-coe.org For immediate release - 18/02/2008 08:38:09 PM
WCC APPOINTS SEARCH COMMITTEE FOR NEW GENERAL SECRETARY
The World Council of Churches central committee has approved the appointment of a search committee for a new general secretary. It is expected that the election of a new general secretary will come at the next central committee meeting in September 2009.
The search committee will seek candidates to succeed the current general secretary, Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia, who has informed the central committee members he would not seek a second term in office. The names of the search committee will be released at a later date.
Kobia made his intentions known today stating personal reasons for his decision not to seek a second term. The WCC central committee was to consider an extension to his current term which ends 31 December 2008.
âThe central committee received this news with regret but accepts the decision of the general secretary. We want to respect his decision and privacy,â WCC Central Committee moderator Rev. Dr. Walter Altmann said Monday night. âWe want to express the deep gratitude of the World Council of Churches for the dedicated services he has given to the council since becoming general secretary in January 2004.â
Kobia is the first African elected to the general secretary position and was the former general secretary of the National Council of Churches in Kenya. In addition to being general secretary, Kobia had previously served as executive director of the WCC âJustice, Peace and Creationâ unit and as director of the cluster on âIssues and Themes.â
More information on the 13-20 February 2008 central committee meeting : http://www.oikoumene.org/en/events-sections/cc2008.html
Additional information:Juan Michel,+41 22 791 6153 +41 79 507 6363 media@wcc-coe.org
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 347 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.
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