EKD-Bulletin 08/2005

 


 

WCC assembly in Porto Alegre in 2006 - Publication of preparatory material

News from Ecumenia Worldwide

The international ecumenical movement is at crossroads, according to Bishop Rolf Koppe, head of ecumenical and foreign affairs at the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD). Looking towards the 9th Assembly of the World Council of Churches that will take place from 14 to 23 February 2006 in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Koppe, who is a member of the WCC's central and executive committees, said: "I believe it is of the utmost importance that the assembly takes clear decisions for the future direction [of the WCC]." The future of the ecumenical movement is one of the key issues for the assembly, alongside questions such as economic justice, Christian identity at a time of religious plurality, and the decade to overcome violence. Up to 3000 participants from the more than 340 member churches of the WCC are expected to take part.

The Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD) will participate in the assembly with a 20-strong delegation that will include Bishop Margot Kässmann from Hanover, Bishop Rolf Koppe, Bishop Bärbel Wartenberg-Potter from the North Elbian Evangelical Lutheran Church, Bishop Martin Hein from the Evangelical Church of Hesse electorate Waldeck, and Bishop Friedrich Weber from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Brunswick. The chair of the EKD Council, Bishop Wolfgang Huber, will take part as a guest of honour at the invitation of WCC general secretary Samuel Kobia. The final preparatory meeting for the German delegates took place at the EKD church office in Hanover in November, at which the focus was discussing the issues  and preparing resolutions.

Preparations have also begun in other countries for the once-every-seven years assembly. Churches in the Middle East, in the USA, the Caribbean and Latin America held meetings in October at which they discussed the assembly theme, "God in your grace, transform the world", and identified key issues for Porto Alegre. In a letter at the beginning of October WCC general secretary Samuel Kobia welcomed participants into the "process of preparation and common prayer on the way to the 9th Assembly". Assemblies frequently represent turning points  for the WCC, Kobia noted. The forthcoming Assembly, "will certainly leave traces in the history of the ecumenical movement".

There should be more young people at Porto Alegre than at previous WCC assemblies, Kobia noted: "We know that the future of the ecumenical movement depends to a great extent on the leadership of these young people." Five young people will travel to Brazil as youth delegates from the EKD.

The most striking innovation compared to the 8th assembly in Harare for delegates will be the "indicator cards". Using blue and orange cards, decisions in future will be taken by consensus and no longer by majority vote. The WCC is implementing a proposal from the Special Commission on Orthodox Participation in the WCC. When delegates follow a hearing with "warmth towards an idea or acceptance of it", they can signal this to the moderator with an orange card. A blue card shows "coolness or disapproval", according to the assembly handbook being sent to delegates in December.

Participants can already prepare for the Bible studies in Porto Alegre. The WCC is distributing Bible studies by theologians from different cultural contexts and regions as a 64-page book titled, "Springs of Living water", the texts can also be accessed via the Internet at: http://www.wcc-assembly.info/en/prayer-bible-study/bible-studies.html

 

 

 

 




 


 

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