” ” ” “Although not officially a member of the Ecumenical Council of the Churches, a delegation of the Catholic Church will also take part in the meeting. Workshops, exhibitions, cultural events, places for meeting and working together. The schedule of the Assembly is extremely tight, so as to allow anyone to take part in the reflection. “I hope said the secretary general of the World Church Council, minister Samuel Kobia this Assembly, the first one held in the 21st century, may mark the beginning of a new era in the search for the unity of Christians and may give the modern ecumenical movement the view of a new culture and unprecedented concepts”. The Churches and the challenge of peace, between the Iraqi conflict and the war against terrorism; the walk of peace, solidarity with the African continent; social and ethic issues in which the Churches still have different positions; the involvement of the young. These are just some of the subjects that will be addressed by the delegates in Porto Alegre. “We should never underestimate – said Kobia the real potential that the Churches have when they unite, to help change the world, despite the difficulties. A common belief and a new hope make everything possible. We wish this assembly may let us give a sign, which may be the visible testimony of our common faith to change the world”.
