World Council of Churches Office of Communication Press Release 150 route de Ferney, P.O. Box 2100, 1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland E-mail: media | |||
WCC Executive Committee: continuing concern for Indonesia and Cyprus | |||
Indonesia Addressing the Christian as well as the Muslim communities, the WCC governing body recalls the model of tolerance Indonesia once provided by respecting the cultural diversity and the religious pluralism of its people. The Executive Committee expressed its "deep compassion" with the Communion of Churches in Indonesia (PGI) and with the Christians in the Moluccas, mourning with them "the deaths of so many of their fellow Christians". It also shared with the Muslim community of Indonesia its "sorrow at the suffering it has undergone, including the loss of many lives". WCC general secretary, Rev. Dr Konrad Raiser, will visit Indonesia 17-25 March.
Cyprus The Committee also expressed its support "for the UN Secretary-General’s effort to bring about a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem", and warmly welcomed "the resumption of UN-led proximity talks on Cyprus". The WCC Executive Committee met in Bossey, near Geneva, 29 February - 3 March.
The World Council of Churches is a fellowship of churches, now 337, in more than 100 countries in all continents from virtually all Christian traditions. The Roman Catholic Church is not a member church but works cooperatively with the WCC. The highest governing body is the assembly, which meets approximately every seven years. The WCC was formally inaugurated in 1948 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Its staff is headed by general secretary Konrad Raiser from the Evangelical Church in Germany. |