WCC NEWS: WCC consultation in Beirut explores conciliar ecumenism

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World Council of Churches - News

WCC CONSULTATION IN BEIRUT EXPLORES CONCILIAR ECUMENISM

For immediate release: 16 February 2012

“Ecumenism is a quality of life that needs to be articulated in all
aspects of a Christian’s life”, and “conciliarity is an essential
nature of the church,” said Catholicos Aram I, head of the Holy See of
Cilicia of the Armenian Apostolic Church. He was speaking to the audience
at the World Council of Churches (WCC) consultation in Beirut, Lebanon.

The consultation was hosted by the Middle East Council of Churches
(Link: http://www.oikoumene.org/index.php?RDCT=0a5dff54403f2f1fe15d ) (MECC) 
from 5-11
February.

The consultation focused on the theme “conciliar ecumenism”, referring
to the Christian councils and associations that pursue church unity at the
national, regional or world level.

The meeting was attended by thirty-three leaders from national councils of
churches (NCCs) and regional ecumenical organisations (REOs), building on
the tradition of the WCC, REOs and NCCs working together to give
expression to churches’ desire for unity in Christ.

Catholicos Aram I also identified three distinctive trends that require
further consideration in conciliar ecumenism, namely the growing shift
from church-centred to people-centred ecumenism, a shift from
multi-confessional to confessional ecumenism, and a shift from global to
regional and local ecumenism.

Other realities, such as the multiplicity of ecumenical actors, churches
not yet identifying with the ecumenical movement, and questions of
financial sustainability of councils, were identified by the Rev. Dr Olav
Fykse Tveit, the WCC general secretary, during his presentation.

Tveit encouraged the participants to ask “if we are really the
fellowships of churches that we are called to be, communities of churches
that move forward towards the goal of visible unity?”

“And are we a common witness in the spirit and ethos of koinonia and
guided by its values, such as solidarity, mutual accountability and the
commitment to consensus and common witness?”

Koinonia is the New Testament vision of unity within the communion of the
Holy Spirit.

In their responses participants focused on the theological and biblical
basis of conciliar ecumenism, reflecting on its different expressions and
implications for the role of national and regional councils.


Working together

They also pointed out the sociocultural and geopolitical issues including
migration, a context where Christians are called to be witnesses. These
issues were also addressed in a presentation by the Rev. Dr Michael
Kinnamon, theological consultant for the meeting.

Fr Dr Paul Rouhana, general secretary of the MECC, spoke to the
consultation about the challenges faced by his council due to the
political turmoil in the region. But he emphasized the potential of
churches working together to offer a witness of peace and unity to all.

Along with the group discussions, panels and sessions, participants also
benefited from a shared spiritual life in Bible studies, prayers and
songs.

“This meeting had several objectives,” said Natasha Klukach, WCC
programme executive for North America. “There was urgency to address the
very real challenges faced by councils throughout the world and to study
together the basis and role of conciliar life within the ecumenical
movement.”

“It was also important to build the fellowship and collegiality of this
unique group of council leadership. Meeting in the Middle East was both a
return to the land in which our faith is rooted, but also a valuable
opportunity to focus our conversations by learning from our brothers and
sisters in this region,” said Klukach.

A comprehensive report on the consultation, including future vision and
recommendations for councils, will be commended to all associate councils
of the WCC for study and reflection.

Read also:

WCC and the ecumenical movement in the 21st century (Link:
http://www.oikoumene.org/index.php?RDCT=6914aa7f5b0df56b4254 )

WCC member churches and councils: Profiles of Ecumenical Relationships
(Link: http://www.oikoumene.org/index.php?RDCT=1d8ec128f4f1b782ce19 )


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 349 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 Olav Fykse Tveit, 
from the [Lutheran] Church of Norway. Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.



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