PCPCU represented at the World Council of Churches Central Committee meeting

30 Jun 2021


Some 230 delegates of member churches as well as representatives of ecumenical partners and guests held the ever first online meeting of the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches (WCC) from 23–29 June 2021. The Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity was represented by Reverend Andrzej Choromanski, who attended the meeting in the capacity of advisor.

The limited agenda mostly focused on preparations for the Eleventh Assembly to take place in September 2022 in Karlsruhe, Germany, on the theme Christ’s love moves the world to reconciliation and unity. The programme of the Assembly was discussed and approved. The Committee also appointed additional delegates from member churches and affiliated ecumenical organizations. Time was dedicated to the presentation and revision of the Committee’s report to the Assembly, From Busan to Karslruhe. Other items on the agenda included the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the life of the churches and ecumenical relations, the presentation of two new churches from Africa applying for WCC membership, and the approval of the revised WCC strategic plan and financial strategy until the end of 2022. In addition to the official aspects, the meeting was also an opportunity for strengthening fellowship through sharing and prayer.

Composed of 150 members appointed by the Assembly, the Central Committee is the higher governing body of the WCC with primary responsibility to carry out the vision of the Assembly and to develop programmatic strategic plans for its implementation. It meets every two years normally hosted by different member churches. Although not a member of the WCC, the Catholic Church is represented at the Central Committee meetings by an advisor appointed by the PCPCU on the invitation of the WCC Secretary General.