Wcc: the ecumenical movement is growing

The ecumenical movement is growing, as are also friendship and relations between the Churches: that’s what seems to emerge from a survey conducted by the World Council of Churches (WCC), published on 23 March as part of the “Handbook of Churches and Councils: Profiles of Ecumenical Relationships”. The document, which shows not only “the differences that exist within the ecumenical movement, but also the growth of relationships between the Churches”, is the result of lengthy consultations with the Churches in all regions of the world. It contains data on the main churches and traditions within Christianity, a presentation of over 150 organizations and councils of the Christian churches and a description of the 348 members that form part of the WCC. Lists of the representatives of the churches and communities of the Christian world at the regional, national and sub-regional levels are also included in the handbook. The data published in the handbook speak of 520,000 parishes in 150 countries served by 490,000 pastors with over 590 million faithful. According to Hubert van Beek, expert of ecumenism within the WCC, “the research offers a solid basis for reflection on the state and future of the ecumenical movement of the 21st century”. “The Handbook of Churches and Councils: Profiles of Ecumenical Relationships” is published in English and can be purchased on line on the WCC website (http://wcc-coe.org/wcc/news/pubs/index-e.html