ECUMENISM " "
The 9th General Assembly of the World Council of Churches (WCC) ended at Porto Alegre in Brazil on 23 February. It was attended by delegates of 348 Christian churches (Protestant, Orthodox and Anglican) throughout the world. The theme of the assembly was: “God, in your grace, transform the world”. In its final message the Assembly appealed to the churches and to the world to place at the centre the transformation of hearts through faith, but it also referred to the many questions being posed by the world today. The Churches then invite Christians to work for “Christian unity”, to “renew our pledge to the mid-term of WCC’s Decade to Overcome Violence (2001-2010)”, and “to realize global economic justice, commitment to interfaith dialogue, and the full inter-generational participation of all men and women”. The final sessions of the Assembly saw the approval by part of the highest decision-making body of the WCC of a series of positions on current affairs, in particular a statement on the satirical cartoons blaspheming Mahomet: “The WCC deplores the publication of the caricatures of the prophet Mahomet”, declares the statement, and appeals to WCC members to “join non-violent protests at the side of those who are being subjected to attacks on their own religion”. The Assembly emphasized that “freedom of expression is a fundamental human right that must be guaranteed and protected. It is a right, but also a responsibility. With the publication of these cartoons, freedom of expression has been abused to cause suffering to entire populations by ridiculing religion, values and dignity”. The motions adopted also included an appeal to the United Nations “for a serious process of reform”, aimed at fostering global peace and justice. On the evening of Wednesday 21 February the Assembly elected the new Central Committee, executive organ of the WCC between two assemblies, composed of 150 members. Particular attention was paid to its female representation (63 are women) and that of the under-30s: 22 young people now sit on the Central Committee. Eight new regional presidents, one for each geographic area, were also elected.
