APD - Archive (Adventistischer Pressedienst)

Articles by category - Ecumenism (62 Entries)

Francis is the first pope to visit a Waldensian Church

Vienna/Austria | 26.03.2015 | Ecumenism

According to the two-day program of Pope Francis' visit to the Piedmont from 21 to 22 June, he will be the first pope to visit a church of the Waldenses in Turin/Italy, according to a media release by Kathpress. It is envisaged that first thing on Monday morning, the second day of his trip, Pope Francis will meet Waldensian dignitaries in the Protestant church in the city center of Turin for 90 minutes and they will pray together the Lord's Prayer. "This is a gesture of brotherhood in a new e
Christmas Message 2012 from the General Secretary of the World Council of Churches

Geneva/Switzerland | 04.12.2012 | Ecumenism

[img id=2481 align=right]He will bring forth justice to the nations... … a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. – Isaiah 42:1,3 What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. – John 1:3-5 (NRSV) The psalmist described the Word of God as a lamp to light our feet, to guide us on the path of life. In Holy
Warmth, Honesty mark Adventist-Mennonite Dialogue

Basel/Switzerland | 01.06.2012 | Ecumenism

Representatives of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and the Mennonite World Conference met in dialogue May 28-31 at the Study and Conference Center Bienenberg near Basel, Switzerland. The four days of conversation were characterized by both Christian warmth and frank exchange of perspectives. This was the second round of dialogue based on the theme, “Living the Christian Life in Today’s World.” The first series of conversation took place June 28-July 1, 2011 at the Adventist c
European Protestants and Baptists sign cooperation agreement

Rome/Vienna/Berne | 04.10.2010 | Ecumenism

The Community of Protestant Churches in Europe (CPCE) and the European Baptist Federation (EBF) are seeking closer ties and better relations. Michael Bünker (Vienna) and Tony Peck (Prague), general secretaries respectively of the Community of Protestant Churches in Europe (CPCE) and the European Baptist Federation (EBF), signed an agreement for this purpose in Rocca di Papa, near Rome, on 24 September. This means the two Europe-wide organisations are now ‘mutually co-operating bodies.’ The E
Palestinian Bishop New President of Lutheran World Federation

Stuttgart/Germany | 25.07.2010 | Ecumenism

The Rev. Munib A. Younan, bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Jordan and the Holy Land, has been elected president of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) July 24 at the LWF Assembly in Stuttgart. The LWF comprises 145 member churches in 79 countries, representing more than 70,1 million Lutheran Christians worldwide. Younan received 300 votes affirming his election, 23 against and 37 abstentions. There were no other nominees. Younan succeeds the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bisho
New Reformed church organization to be launched at global assembly in the United States

Grand Rapids, Michigan/USA | 17.06.2010 | Ecumenism

The World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) and the Reformed Ecumenical Council (REC) are coming together in a new union with 227 member churches representing more than 80 million Reformed Christians in 108 countries - the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC). The new organization will be established in Geneva where the WARC offices are currently located. The Uniting General Council (UGC) that launches this new Reformed organization will be held from 18 to 26 June in Grand Rapids, M
Christmas Message 2009 from the WCC General Secretary Samuel Kobia

Geneva/Switzerland | 17.11.2009 | Ecumenism

CHRISTMAS MESSAGE 2009 FROM THE GENERAL SECRETARY OF THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES
Moscow Patriarchate met Protestant church leaders and ministers

Moscow/Russia | 16.10.2009 | Ecumenism

Russian Orthodox Archbishop Hilarion of Volokolamsk received on October 5 in the Moscow Patriarchate Department for External Church Relations (DECR) in Moscow a group of church leaders and ministers from several Protestant churches and communities in various regions in Russia. There were some sixty representatives of the Union of the Christians of Evangelical Faith in Russia, the Union of the Evangelical Christians-Baptists in Russia (RUECB), the Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Russia and Presby
Olav Fykse Tveit elected WCC general secretary

Geneva/Switzerland | 27.08.2009 | Ecumenism

Norwegian theologian and pastor Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, 48, was elected 7th general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Thursday 27 August during its Central Committee meeting. Tveit will be the youngest general secretary since Willem A. Visser 't Hooft who had led the WCC while it was in process of formation and following its founding assembly 61 years ago. Since 2002, Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit has been the general secretary of the Church of Norway Council on Ecumenical and In
Baptists, Adventists meet to underscore common Christian values

Silver Spring, Maryland/USA | 13.03.2009 | Ecumenism

Delegates from the Baptist World Alliance (BWA) met with Seventh-day Adventist world church President Jan Paulsen March 11 to affirm their denominations' common values and recommit to their shared goals of religious freedom. The meeting, which included other church leaders, took place at Adventist world church headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland/USA. "[Adventists and Baptists] share a Christ-centric faith and many of the same values," said John Graz, director of public affairs and rel
North American Presbyterians, Adventists continue conversations

Louisville, Kentucky/USA | 29.08.2008 | Ecumenism

Third round of talks in July focus on ‘distinctives’ of each communion After three rounds of conversations, representatives of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America say they have found more than enough common ground to continue their talks, perhaps even drawing in representatives of other Reformed denominations. "Our differences are not of such a nature as to preclude fellowship with one another as brothers and sisters in Christ," said the R
Major Protestant denomination calls for climate change action

Prague/Czech Republic | 07.08.2008 | Ecumenism

The Baptist World Alliance (BWA) has called on Baptists world-wide to strongly support government, corporate and community initiatives to address the causes of human-induced climate change. In a resolution passed at its Annual Gathering at Prague, Czech Republic, on July 25, the Baptist World Alliance affirmed the biblical teaching that God created all things and that God’s creation was good (Genesis 1:1-2:2), and that God had entrusted the care of creation to humans (Genesis 1:28, 29; 2:15)
Salvation Army and African Instituted Churches welcomed at Forum on Bilateral Dialogues

Breklum/Germany and Geneva/Switzerland | 01.04.2008 | Ecumenism

Representatives from the Christian World Communions (CWCs) as well as from the Commission on Faith and Order of the World Council of Churches (WCC) have participated at the Ninth Forum on Bilateral Dialogues in order to share information on recent bilateral consultations between churches and to discuss the vision of unity expressed in their ecumenical texts. For the first time, the 10-15 March meeting in Breklum, Germany included theologians from the Salvation Army and the African Instituted
Liberal Christianity is dying, Russian Orthodox Bishop says

Geneva/Switzerland, | 17.02.2008 | Ecumenism

Russian Orthodox Bishop Hilarion Alfeyev, the Moscow Patriarchate’s representative to the European Institutions, said on February 15 that liberal Christianity is on its way to extinction. "Liberal Christianity will not survive long and political correctness within the Christian environment is destined to die," Hilarion said during the Central Committee meeting of the World Council of Churches (WCC) at Geneva, Switzerland. The Orthodox Bishop also criticized the words of the Anglican primat
Anglican Theologian Gibaut To Lead WCC Faith And Order

Geneva/Switzerland, | 26.11.2007 | Ecumenism

The Executive committee of the World Council of Churches (WCC), the Council’s governing body, which met September 25-28 in Etchmiadzin, Armenia, ratified the election of Rev. Canon Dr John Saint Helier Gibaut, from the Anglican Church of Canada, as director of the WCC Faith and Order Programme. He will head the Secretariat of Faith and order as of January 2008. A scholar specialized in liturgical and historical theology, Gibaut has extensive ecumenical experience, particularly in the area of
Let's take risks, WCC General Secretary Kobia tells Global Christian Forum

Limuru/Kenya | 08.11.2007 | Ecumenism

"Some would have said that this event was not possible, but here we are - and the world wonders what will come next," said the World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia at the opening of the Global Christian Forum (GCF) taking place in Limuru, near Nairobi, Kenya, from 6-9 November. Stressing the "unprecedented breadth" of the event in his address to a room packed with some 240 high level representatives from Protestant, Anglican, Orthodox, Catholic, Evangelical
Adventists and Evangelicals developed statement of common goals

Berrien Springs, Michigan/USA | 09.09.2007 | Ecumenism

Theologians representing the Seventh-day Adventist Church (SDA) and the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) met August 5 to 10 at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan (USA) for their second round of theological conversation on world-level. The result of this dialogue between the Seventh-day Adventist Church and the World Evangelical has been the development of the joint statement identifying the common goals and results of theological discussions between the two institutions, delegat
Australia: Adventist Church Hosts Its First National Indigenous Women's Convention

Uluru/Australia | 12.08.2007 | Ecumenism

A conference to address issues facing indigenous women of Australia is being called "long overdue" by some Seventh-day Adventists. The Women at the Centre conference, running August 8 to 12 in Uluru, was the church's first national meeting for indigenous, or Aboriginal, women, church Women's Ministries leaders said. 100 participants attended the meetings. "Domestic violence, addiction, nutrition education and how to provide healing are some of the issues that many people in the community
German churches signed comon agreement on baptism

Magdeburg/Germany | 07.05.2007 | Ecumenism

Eleven German denominations - including Protestant, Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox and Anglican churches —recognized formally each other's baptism, at an ecumenical ceremony in the eastern German city of Magdeburg. "As a sign of the unity of all Christians, baptism is a bond with Jesus Christ, the foundation of this unity," states a common declaration which was signed at the service on April 29. "This mutual recognition of baptism is an expression of the bond of unity founded in
South African Adventists Host Women

Somerset West/South Africa | 09.03.2007 | Ecumenism

This year marked the 77th time that South African women participated in a woman-led worldwide day of prayer. But it was the first time that the women of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Helderberg Basin in Somerset West, near Cape Town, South Africa, hosted the interdenominational day of prayer. The day of prayer took place Friday, March 2, from 10 a.m. to 12 a.m. The Women's World Day of Prayer (WWDP) is a worldwide movement of Christian women from various cultures, races and churche
A letter to the Christians of Europe

Lutherstadt-Wittenberg /Germany | 19.02.2007 | Ecumenism

A third stage meeting preparing the Third European Ecumenical Assembly met in Lutherstadt-Wittenberg /Germany from 15th to 18th of February 2007 to share in prayer and reflection, and to continue the process of the Third European Ecumenical Assembly (EEA3) to be held in Sibiu, Romania in September 2007. The meeting ended with the publication of "A letter to the Christians of Europe" urging co-operation between Christian churches in Europe. The Third European Ecumenical Assembly (EEA3) wi
Church Leaders to Cultivate 'Relationship of Relating' Between Adventists and Major Faith Groups

Silver Spring, Maryland/USA | 24.01.2007 | Ecumenism

"Seventh-day Adventists are not an island in this world. We want to know other faiths better, and we want them to know us better," Dr. John Graz, director of the Adventist world church's department of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty, said January 23. With a global membership fast approaching 15 million, the Adventist Church is far from being isolationist. However, its leaders believe a concerted effort to cultivate conversations between the church and major faith groups--Muslims, Buddhi
USA: Adventists and Presbyterians Dialogue

Silver Spring, Maryland/USA | 30.11.2006 | Ecumenism

A delegation from the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) were welcomed on November 1 at the Adventist Church Headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland (U.S.A.) by Halvard Thomsen, assistant to the president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church for North America., for official conversations between the Adventists and Presbyterians. Thomsen expressed "appreciation for the opportunity to sharpen our friendship" as the Adventist-Presbyterian dialogue continued. Responding, Dr Carlos Malave, leader of the Pre
Common Declaration by Pope Benedict XVI and Patriarch Bartholomew I

| 30.11.2006 | Ecumenism

Common Declaration by Pope Benedict XVI and Patriarch Bartholomew I signed on November 30, 2006 in the Phanar Full text version
Prague: Adventists and Evangelicals Meet in Dialogue

Prague/Czech Republic | 15.08.2006 | Ecumenism

Representatives of the worldwide Seventh-day Adventist Church and the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) met in dialogue August 8-11, 2006 on the campus of the International Baptist Theological Seminary, located in Prague, Czech Republic. Although informal contacts had occurred during the past 50 years, this was the first official meeting of the two groups. The purposes of the dialogue were: To gain a clearer understanding of the theological positions of each body; To clarify matters of misu
Methodists to Affirm Roman Catholic Theology on Justification

Seoul/Korea, | 20.07.2006 | Ecumenism

The World Methodist Conference (WMC) will adopt the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification (JDDJ) agreed in 1999 between the Roman Catholic Church and the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), which, in practice, eliminated the main theological element of division between Catholics and Lutherans. The act to extend the Declaration will take place in Uiwang near Seoul, during a special church service in the presence of Cardinal Walter Kasper, head of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Chr
Cardinal Kasper reiterates Roman Catholic Church's unique place in Ecumenism

Uiwang-Seoul/Korea | 20.07.2006 | Ecumenism

The head of the Vatican organization in charge of ecumenism has reminded bishops of Asia that the Second Vatican Council taught Christ's Church is to be found only in the Roman Catholic Church, reports the Hong Kong based news agency UCAN. Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, acknowledged that the Second Vatican Council left room for dialogue, but "it also wants to maintain that the Church of Christ has its concrete location in the Roman C
WCC Statement on new UN Human Rights Council

Geneva/Switzerland | 19.05.2006 | Ecumenism

WCC Advises New U.N. Human Rights Concil To Build On Strengths, Avoid Shortcomings Of Its Predecessor The World Council of Churches (WCC) executive committee on May 19y said that the new UN Human Rights Council needs to avoid "policies and practices of double standards, en-bloc voting and politicization of the human rights agenda that were so prevalent at the UN Commission on Human Rights" that they "virtually paralyzed" it before its "ignominious end". The statement affirms, however, the
New Christian Council of Norway spans all major churches

Oslo/Norway | 04.04.2006 | Ecumenism

Two Christian church councils in Norway have agreed to form a new national church body spanning all the major churches including Lutheran, Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, Adventists and Pentecostal denominations The new national grouping will formally be inaugurated on September 1, 2006, and results from the merger of the "Christian Council of Norway" (NKR) and the "Norwegian Free Church Council" (NFR). This merger was agreed by both bodies in separate meetings on March 30. T
Brazilian President Lula will attend World Council of Churches 9th Assembly

Brasilia/Brazil | 02.02.2006 | Ecumenism

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will attend the 9th Assembly of the World Council of Churches on February 17 in the city of Porto Alegre, speaking before an expected audience of more than 4,000 delegates, observers and journalists from 347 Protestant and Orthodox Churches from 120 countries around the world, the secretary of the office of the presidency said February 1. The Brazilian president received the WCC invitation in May 2003. The confirmation of Lula's presence was commu
Commissioner Clifton elected 18th General of The Salvation Army

London/United Kingdom | 29.01.2006 | Ecumenism

The 2006 High Council of the Salvation Army has chosen Commissioner Shaw Clifton – currently Territorial Commander, United Kingdom and Ireland - to be the 18th General of this international movement. This announcement was made on January 28, at The Salvation Army’s conference centre Sunbury Court just outside London. Commissioner Clifton will become the Salvation Army movement’s world leader on the retirement of General John Larsson at midnight on April 1, General Larsson’s 68th birthday.
WCC Assembly will question morality of economic globalization

Geneva/Switzerland | 13.01.2006 | Ecumenism

"A world without poverty is not only possible, but is in keeping with the grace of God for the world," is an affirmation that will play a central role at the 9th Assembly of the World Council of Churches (WCC) in Porto Alegre, Brazil, 14 - 23 February 2006. The six-page document, titled "AGAPE - A Call to love and action," summarizes the results of work done by the WCC and ecumenical partners on economic globalization since the 8th Assembly in Harare in 1998. It calls churches "to act togethe
Ecumenical Week of Prayer focuses on Christ as source of unity

Geneva/Switzerland | 12.01.2006 | Ecumenism

Christian Churches and communities around the world will gather January 18 to 25 for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity; the event, which some churches will mark on alternate dates, will focus on the theme and central biblical text, "Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them," (Matthew 18:20). An ecumenical group in Ireland prepared the first draft of the 2006 prayer materials. Members of the group were "conscious of the rich spiritual heritage of Ireland with roo
Evangelical-Lutheran Bishop to Chair Ecumenical Council of Churches in Austria

Vienna/Austria | 25.10.2005 | Ecumenism

Bishop Herwig Sturm of the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Austria Is the new chairperson of the Ecumenical Council of Churches in Austria(ÖRKÖ). He has been elected for a two-years term at the council’s annual general meeting on October 18, in Vienna. Sturm succeeds Mother Superior Professor Christine Gleixner of the Roman Catholic Church, who has chaired the council over the past six years. The National Ecumenical Council is a learning community, which the Lutheran bis
World Association for Christian Communication decides on new directions and relocation

Brighton/U.K. | 07.10.2005 | Ecumenism

Significant and far-reaching changes were made by the Central Committee of the World Association for Christian Communication (WACC) at a meeting held 1-6 October 2005 near the East Sussex town of Brighton. The former Central Committee, WACC’s governing body, will be replaced by a Board of Directors comprising its President, Treasurer, General Secretary and 16 elected representatives from its eight regions. The new Board of Directors approved the theme of ‘Communication for peace and social
Roman Catholic "World Youth Day": Biggest Worship Service on German Soil

Cologne/Germany | 23.08.2005 | Ecumenism

Pope Benedict XVI Receives Mixed Reactions From German Protestants The Roman Catholic "World Youth Day 2005" has ended in the biggest worship service ever on German soil. More than one million participants from 200 countries celebrated an open air mass with Pope Benedict XVI near Cologne, August 21. [img id=547 align=left] During his homily for the closing Mass, Pope Benedict XVI encouraged the youth to pursue a pure and full faith, which does not pick and choose among doctrines. "If it i
Founder of French religious Taize Community stabbed to death at evening prayers

Founder of French religious Taize Community stabbed to death at evening prayers | 17.08.2005 | Ecumenism

The founder of the French religious Taize Community, Brother Roger, 90, was stabbed to death on August 16 during evening prayers by a mentally disturbed, his community said. Police said that a 36-year-old Romanian woman was detained as a suspect. According to a news report of Agence France Press (AFP) Brother Roger was attacked with a knife during evening prayers attended by some 2,500 young people at the Reconciliation church in Taize, in the eastern Burgundy region. He was seriously wounded
Roman-Catholic "World Youth Day": Pope Benedict XVI on the road to Germany

Cologne/Germany | 15.08.2005 | Ecumenism

Today the curtain rises in Cologne, Germany, on the biggest event of the Roman-Catholic summer, as well as the most important road test to date of Benedict XVI’s papacy. World Youth Day (WYD) begins August 15 with Marian celebrations in local parishes, though Benedict XVI doesn’t arrive until Thursday, August 18. The weeklong festival of Roman Catholic youth, instituted by Pope John Paul II and known affectionately as the “Catholic Woodstock,” closes with a papal Mass on Sunday, August 21.
Barriers lifting between U.S. Catholics and Evangelicals, say researchers

Washington D.C./USA | 03.08.2005 | Ecumenism

A news report from the Catholic News Agency (CNA) says the relationship between Evangelical Protestants and Roman Catholics has improved dramatically in the United States of America in recent decades, and increasingly these two groups have ever more in common both politically and spiritually. According to the CNA article a number of Evangelical and Catholic researchers and scholars have observed this phenomenon and written about it. Richard Ostling of the Associated Press recently report
Book of Essays, Dinner, Honour Retiring Adventist Church Statesman Bert B. Beach

Silver Spring, Maryland/USA | 22.06.2005 | Ecumenism

Paying tribute to decades of interfaith effort, friends and leaders of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and others gathered at the church's world headquarters June 16 to honour Dr. Bert Beverly. Beach, director of inter-church relations for this protestant mainstream movement. "Building Bridges of Faith and Freedom," a Festschrift, or celebratory publication, honouring Dr. Beach was released at the dinner. It is believed to be the first such tribute published by a world church department.
Third Session of Theological Dialogue between Pentecostal and Reformed Churches

Detmold/Germany | 01.06.2005 | Ecumenism

Delegations of some classical Pentecostal churches and of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) met in Detmold (Germany), from May 25 to 31, 2005. It was the third session of an international dialogue on "Experience in Christian Faith and Life" which began in 2002, following the first five-year round of theological conversations on "Word and Spirit, Church and World" (1996-2000). According to a published Joint Communiqué, the theme of this year's meeting was how Pentecostal and Refor
Christian Churches are growing more swiftly in the South, said Letter from Athens

Athens/Grece, | 24.05.2005 | Ecumenism

A letter from participants at the World Council of Churches (WCC) Conference on Mission and Evangelism recognizes that the centre of gravity of world Christianity has moved from the Northern hemisphere to the South and East. "We stand now at a particular moment in the history of mission. While the centres of power are still predominantly in the global North, it is in the South and the East that the churches are growing most rapidly," stated the letter. According to 2004 data from the Encyc
Pope Benedict XVI's Message to Cardinals

Rome/Italy | 21.04.2005 | Ecumenism

"A Church That … Has No Fear of the Future" Here is a translation of Pope Benedict XVI's first full-length message, which he read in Latin at the end of a Eucharistic concelebration with members of the College of Cardinals. He presided over the Mass April 20 in the Sistine Chapel. * * * Venerable Brother Cardinals, Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Men and Women of Good Will! 1. May grace and peace be multiplied to all of you (cf. 1 Peter 1:2)! In these hours, two contrasti
WCC-General Secretary Kobia prays Benedict XVI. for renewed commitment to ecumenical openess and a dialogue of conversion

Geneva/Switzerland | 20.04.2005 | Ecumenism

In congratulating the newly-elected pope, World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia prayed for "renewed commitment" to "ecumenical openess" and "a dialogue of conversion". Describing Benedict XVI as a man "known for his theological integrity and ecclesial loyalty, his evangelical simplicity and pastoral sensitivity," Kobia expressed his hope that his pontificate will "constitute a time for the Roman Catholic Church to apply, in a renewed commitment, the teachings
German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger chosen to be Pope Benedict XVI

Rome/Italy | 20.04.2005 | Ecumenism

by Luigi Sandri A puff of white smoke and loud bell ringing from the Vatican's Sistine Chapel announced that German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was on April 19 (Tuesday) chosen to be Pope Benedict XVI to lead the 1-billion member Roman Catholic Church. "Dear brothers and sisters, after the great Pope, John Paul II, the cardinals have elected me, a simple and humble worker in the Lord's vineyard," the new Pope said when he emerged on the Vatican balcony an hour after the white smoke started
Florida: Adventist And United Church Of Christ Congregations Share Church Sanctuary

Lady Lake, Florida/USA | 17.04.2005 | Ecumenism

In the true spirit of Christian love, Pastor Clyde Thomas and his congregation at the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Lady Lake (Florida) agreed to rent their church to the Rev. Bill Wealand and his congregation at The United Church of Christ for worship services until the Church of Christ's new sanctuary is completed. Wealand was very pleased to have a semi-permanent home for his congregation, which has been holding services at various places. "First we met at the Hope Lutheran Church at
Political Agendas Of British Evangelicals May Be Broadening

London, United Kingdom | 15.04.2005 | Ecumenism

There are signs that the political agendas of Evangelicals may be broadening in the UK beyond traditional 'moral' issues of sexuality, abortion and family policy, for which their campaigns are so well known. In a major survey (8 April 2005) to gauge the political opinions of Evangelicals in the run up to the General Election an overwhelming majority signalled their desire to see political parties take action to end global poverty. Of the two thousand Christians polled by the Evangelical
Obituary: Pope John Paul II

London/U.K. | 03.04.2005 | Ecumenism

Karol Wojtyla's election as Pope in 1978 stunned the Catholic world. Not one expert had tipped the 58-year-old bishop of Krakow for the top job. His stand against Poland's Communist regime had brought him respect. But he was not part of the Vatican "in-crowd" and, above all, he was the first non-Italian pope in more than 450 years. He went on to become one of the most familiar faces in the world. His papal odyssey covered more than 120 countries and he earned himself the reputation of an
Pope John Paul II has died

Rome/Italy | 02.04.2005 | Ecumenism

Pope John Paul II died late on Saturday night, April 2, ending one of the longest and most influential pontificates in the history of the Roman Catholic Church. The Holy Father remained "extraordinarily serene" during his final illness, according to his spokesman, Joaquin Navarro-Valls. He had suffered heart failure the previous evening while being treated for an infection of his urinary tract. As his condition deteriorated rapidly during the day on Friday and then Saturday, with his body wr
Adventist, Salvation Army Delegates Meet in Second Bilateral Dialogue

Jackson's Point, Ontario, Canada | 17.03.2005 | Ecumenism

A second round of bilateral talks between doctrinal experts from The Salvation Army and the Seventh-day Adventist Church were held March 7 to 10 in Jackson's Point, a town 45 miles (72 kilometers) north of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Representing the Adventist Church were Dr. Bert B. Beach of the Council on Inter-Church Relations; Dr. Niels-Erik Andreasen, president of Andrews University; Dr. Andrea Luxton, associate education director for the world church; Biblical Research Institute director
Members of the World Council of Churches

Geneva/Switzerland | 25.02.2005 | Ecumenism

Efforts to shape a new ecumenical vision, as well as confront the world's continuing crises, topped the agenda when the council's decision-making body met February 15-22 in Geneva, Switzerland. It was the committee's last gathering before the World Council of Churches' 9th Assembly, set for February 14-23, 2006, in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Retooling the ecumenical vision for the new century is not only "a matter of structures" but also "a process of transformation," the Rev. Samuel Kobia, a Meth
Myanmar: Religious Liberty Affirmed as Christian Church Leaders Meet

Rangoon, Myanmar | 23.02.2005 | Ecumenism

For the first time since the once open nation of Burma entered a phase of martial law, renamed itself Myanmar, and turned away from significant contact with the world community, a conference of more than 40 leaders of the Christian community was held in Myanmar February 10 in Rangoon to express commitment to religious freedom and Christian solidarity. The meeting was propelled by the visit of John Graz, secretary-general of the Conference of Secretaries of the Christian World Communions (CWC)
Salvation Army And World Methodist Council Meet Under Common Wesleyan Heritage

Lake Junaluska, North Carolina/USA | 05.02.2005 | Ecumenism

United in one Wesleyan heritage, members of the Salvation Army’s International Doctrine Council and representatives of the World Methodist Council (WMC) met at the Methodist Lake Junaluska campus in North Carolina, USA, in January 2005. The meeting is a follow-up of the last conversation two years earlier at the Salvation Army’s Sunbury Court in England. While the history of the two denominations and their common Wesleyan heritage was well appreciated, this time they focused both on their sim
Former WEA general secretary Gary Edmonds to head Churches Together (CT)

Seattle, Washington/USA | 24.01.2005 | Ecumenism

Churches Together (CT), an Evangelical joint venture of North American churches, announced today that Gary Edmonds has accepted the position of Executive Director of Churches Together starting February 1, 2005. Churches Together is mobilizing North American churches to partner with African churches on HIV/AIDS, and to fostering grass-roots, African church-based ministry to African communities, families and individuals infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. Edmonds joins Churches Together (C
General Secretary of World Evangelical Alliance to Resign in February

Edmonds, WA, USA | 19.01.2005 | Ecumenism

The General Secretary of the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) announced his resignation from his post on January 17. Rev Gary Edmonds, who has been serving the alliance since 2002, is being testified by his colleagues and WEA partners for his tireless efforts in advancing the global evangelical movement. In accepting the resignation on behalf of the WEA’s International Council (IC), the chairman, Ndaba Mazabane, Durban, said to the Evangelical news agency "idea" based in Wetzlar (Germany), "
Australian Christians launch election website

Box Hill, Victoria Australia | 26.08.2004 | Ecumenism

The Australian Evangelical Alliance (AEA) has launched a website to help Christians think biblically about political and social issues before voting in the Federal election. The website, at www.evangelicalalliance.org.au features articles about social issues, comparisons of the values of political parties, discussions about policies released by the parties, prayers, reflections on Christian responsibilities, song suggestions and statements from Christian politicians. [img id=228 align=righ
Salvation Army, Adventist Theologians Meet in Dialogue

Silver Spring, Maryland, USA | 14.01.2004 | Ecumenism

Culminating a quarter century of informal contacts, theologians from the Seventh-day Adventist Church and The Salvation Army met for four days of theological dialogue January 5 to 8, 2004. "As with relationships with other Christian world communions, we recognize there are more things that unite us than divide us," declared Colonel Earl Robinson, secretary of The Salvation Army's Office for Spiritual Life Development and International External Relations. Both delegations, the seven-member Sal
Ecumenical Rites of Passage

| 09.11.2003 | Ecumenism

NEWS COMMENTARY by Bert B. Beach* The World Council of Churches (WCC) is currently going through various “rites of passage.” The past few years have been difficult ones for this key ecumenical body. The WCC elected a new general secretary, Samuel Kobia from Kenya, in January 2004 to replace Konrad Raiser, who is retiring and returning to his native land of Germany. This is the first time that an African has been elected to head up the WCC. This election highlights the increasingly signif
England: The Anglican-Methodist Covenant signed at a national celebration

London/Great Britain | 02.11.2003 | Ecumenism

The Anglican-Methodist Covenant in England was signed at a national celebration on Saturday 1 November 2003, in the presence of Her Majesty the Queen. Earlier this year the Covenant was strongly endorsed by the Methodist Conference of Great Britain and the General Synod of the Church of England. The service of celebration started at Methodist Central Hall, Westminster, in front of an invited assembly from both Churches as well as ecumenical and civic guests. After the historic Covenant was si
Ecumenism in the new millennium - by Bert B. Beach

| 09.09.2003 | Ecumenism

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New World Council of Churches Secretary Wants to Reinforce Ties With Vatican

Geneva/Switzerland and Rome/Italy | 04.09.2003 | Ecumenism

The newly elected secretary-general of the World Council of Churches (WCC) lists as one of his priorities the reinforcing of relations with the Roman Catholic Church (RCC). Rev. Samuel Kobia, a Methodist pastor from Kenya, also wants to strengthen unity among the regional and national Council of churches and bolster ecumenism. Kobia, 56, married and the father of four, is the first African chosen for the highest post in the council. The WCC is a community of 342 churches, denominations and
Methodist Minister Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia elected as new WCC general secretary

Geneva | 01.09.2003 | Ecumenism

The Rev. Dr Sam Kobia, currently WCC special representative for Africa, has been elected as the new general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC). Kobia will succeed Rev. Dr Konrad Raiser, and will take office in January 2004. The election took place during a closed session of the WCC Central Committee in which the 134 voting members considered two candidates presented by the search committee: Kobia and the Rev. Canon Dr Trond Bakkevig. In announcing the result, the Moderator