The Pontifical Council represented at the Global Christian Forum virtual meetings

On 3 September 2020, Reverend Andrzej Choromanski represented the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity at the video Committee meeting of the Global Christian Forum (GCF). Twenty nine participants representing almost all Christian traditions from all over the world met online to advance the aims of the GCF during the pandemic.

The discussion was based on a paper delivered by Reverend Huibert van Beek, the founding secretary of the GCF. In his reflections he recalled that the GCF was established to create an open space wherein representatives from a broad range of Christian churches and movements could meet on an equal basis in order to testify together to their faith, fostering mutual respect, addressing together common concerns and promoting Christian unity. He underlined that since the foundation of the GCF, unity and mission have been the two fundamental theological concepts inspiring its activities. During the discussion that followed it was agreed that the Forum should intensify it future work in two directions: reaching new generations of leadership and encouraging regional and national meetings of Christian leaders. Taking place during the time when the ecumenical family celebrates the Season of Creation, the meeting ended with the prayer of the Canticle of Creation of Saint Francis.

The Committee meeting was preceded the day before by the meeting of the Facilitation Group, which is an advisory body to the Secretary composed of representatives of the four so-called pillars of the GCF, including the World Council of Churches, World Evangelical Alliance, Pentecostal World Fellowship and Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. It also includes presidents of the two foundations that support financially the GCF.

The GCF aims at fostering fraternal relationships among Christians from different traditions that may lead to common witness. Its distinctive mark is the practice of sharing personal and ecclesial faith stories.

A report was issued at the conclusion of the meeting.